est difficulties; but if, on the other hand, he
encountered any trifling annoyance, everything seemed to go wrong,
misfortune seemed to accumulate upon his head, and he thought that no
one was ever so persecuted and maltreated by fate as himself--but for
one day only. A night's rest generally restored his equanimity.

This was just one of his unlucky days from the moment when he heard
of Randulf's absence. Nothing had satisfied him, either at the club,
at the office, or at his warehouse; although there was absolutely
nothing to complain of in the management of his affairs during his
absence.

The people in his employ had, in fact, deserved much more praise than
he had vouchsafed to them.

Grumbling and dispirited, he traversed the well-kept rooms. The sun
was low in the north-west, and in the sunset glow he could
distinguish the _Hope's_ top-gallant yards over the point of land
that separated the harbour from Sandsgaard Bay.

Nothing, however, could cheer him up. Moreover, after a while he
bethought him how old Harbour-master Snell had led him aside into a
corner at the club, and had whispered, as he laid his finger to his
long red nose; "Pop--pop--Jacob, it was about time that you brought
the old one some cash; they say--pop--pop--that he is in want of it
just now."

"What in the world did he mean?" thought Skipper Worse, as he
recalled the conversation. "Does the old swindler think to persuade
me that C. F. Garman is in want of cash?"

"What do you want, Lauritz!" cried he suddenly, seeing the lad at the
door.

"Nothing, captain," said Lauritz, meekly, going out again.

But Worse following him, caught him in the passage, and pulled him
back into the room.

That Lauritz did not want anything was true; but when in his sorrow
and despondency he saw the captain, who had always been so good to
him, passing the window to and fro, he ventured to approach him on
the chance of meeting with some comfort.

Worse gripped him by the neck and looked at him.

"H'm! so there's another who has found little satisfaction in coming
home. Come, let us have a drop of something together, my son, and you
shall then tell me what is the matter."

Skipper Worse opened a door in the corner cupboard, produced two
round Dutch glasses, and poured out some cherry brandy for Lauritz
and some old Jamaica rum for himself.

"Now, then," said Worse, when they had emptied their glasses, "let's
hear all about your troubles."

But instea