r
one moment, but he immediately handed the signed form to a neighbouring
clerk for transmission to the manager, or to some functionary only one
degree less omnipotent.

"And while we're waiting," said the Pilot, "I'd be much obliged if you'd
show me the book where you keep the record of all the monies I've put
into your bank."

The clerk conferred with another clerk, who went off somewhere and
returned with a heavy tome, which he placed with a bang on the counter.

The Jew turned over the broad leaves with a great rustling. "This
inspection of our books is purely optional with us, Captain, but with an
old customer like yourself we waive our prerogative."

"Very han'some of you, very han'some indeed. How does she stand?"

The clerk ran his fingers down a long column of figures, and said,
"There are a number of deposits in Miss Rose's name. Shall I read the
amounts?"

"I've got the receipts in my strong-box. All I want is the total."

"Ten thousand, five hundred pounds," said the clerk.

"And there's this here new lot," said the Pilot.

"Ten thousand, seven hundred and fifty altogether."

The Pilot drew the heavy account book towards him, and verified the
clerk's statements. Then he made a note of the sum total, and said,
"I'll take that last receipt now, if it's ready."

The clerk reached over to a table, where the paper had been placed by a
fellow clerk, and handed it to the gruff old sailor.

"Thank you," said Pilot Summerhayes. "Now I can verify the whole
caboodle at my leisure, though I hate figures as the devil hates holy
water." He placed the receipt in his inside pocket and buttoned up his
coat. "Good-day," he said, as he turned to go.

"I wish you good morning, Captain."

The Pilot glanced back; his face wearing a look of amusement, as though
he thought the clerk's effusiveness was too good to be true. Then he
nodded, gave a little chuckle, and walked out through the swinging,
glass doors.

The Jew watched the bulky sailor as he moved slowly, like a ship leaving
port in heavy weather, with many a lurch and much tacking against an
adverse wind. By the expression on the Semitic face you might have
thought that Isaac Zahn was beholding some new and interesting object
of natural history, instead of a ponderous and grumpy old sailor, who
seemed to doubt somewhat the _bona fides_ of the Kangaroo Bank. But the
truth was that the young man was dazzled by the personality of one who
might command such w