arton also. The latter was there first
by some minutes, and explained to Mr. Hartlepod that he had come
there to meet his son-in-law. Mr. Hartlepod was civil, but very cold.
Mr. Wharton saw at the first glance that the services of Ferdinand
Lopez were no longer in request by the San Juan Mining Company;
but he sat down and waited. Now that he was there, however painful
the interview would be, he would go through it. At ten minutes
past eleven he made up his mind that he would wait till the
half-hour,--and then go, with the fixed resolution that he would
never willingly spend another shilling on behalf of that wretched
man. But at a quarter past eleven the wretched man came,--swaggering
into the office, though it had not, hitherto, been his custom to
swagger. But misfortune masters all but the great men, and upsets the
best-learned lesson of even a long life. "I hope I have not kept you
waiting, Mr. Wharton. Well, Hartlepod, how are you to-day? So this
little affair is to be settled at last, and now these shares shall be
bought and paid for." Mr. Wharton did not say a word, not even rising
from his chair, or greeting his son-in-law by a word. "I dare say Mr.
Wharton has already explained himself," said Lopez.

"I don't know that there is any necessity," said Mr. Hartlepod.

"Well,--I suppose it's simple enough," continued Lopez. "Mr. Wharton,
I believe I am right in saying that you are ready to pay the money at
once."

"Yes;--I am ready to pay the money as soon as I am assured that you
are on your route to Guatemala. I will not pay a penny till I know
that as a fact."

Then Mr. Hartlepod rose from his seat and spoke. "Gentlemen," he
said, "the matter within the last few days has assumed a different
complexion."

"As how?" exclaimed Lopez.

"The Directors have changed their mind as to sending out Mr. Lopez
as their local manager. The Directors intend to appoint another
gentleman. I had already acquainted Mr. Lopez with the Directors'
intention."

"Then the matter is settled?" said Mr. Wharton.

"Quite settled," said Mr. Hartlepod.

As a matter of course Lopez began to fume and to be furious.
What!--after all that had been done did the Directors mean to go back
from their word? After he had been induced to abandon his business in
his own country, was he to be thrown over in that way? If the Company
intended to treat him like that, the Company would very soon hear
from him. Thank God there were laws in the land