d, in the elevator, "I've got to go down to slip
No. 4, to see about some stuff I'm shipping to Mexico. Walk or ride?
It's only a little ways."

"Let's walk, then," said Steve. "You can tell me about the boats as we
go. That's what takes my eye. What's that big one coming in?"

"Rotterdammer. The one behind her is a coaster--Menacho, Puig & Co.
Look up stream--there's a big Cunarder just swinging out. Hello,
there's the Rosenthal and Montoya stuff now!"

A string of heavily-laden drays moved slowly down the rock-paved
street. "Lights out! Protect yourself!" thought Steve. "I feel a
presentiment that there'll be a heavy transportation bill on that
stuff and that my friend won't have enough cash to settle it. Perhaps
he will accept a temporary accommodation from me. Thompson, he pays
the freight--_nit_!"

This unworthy suspicion proved unfounded. As they watched the rumbling
wagons they were joined by one of businesslike appearance and swift
step.

"Going down, Mitchell? That's your Argentine freights, I suppose? At
least, I recognize your foreman."

Mitchell introduced him: Mr. Archibald, of the Bowring and Archibald
line, in the coastwise and southern trade.

"Just going down to your place, Archie. We _were_ going to walk, but
if you're in a hurry----"

"Not at all. Have a cigar?" said the pseudo-Archibald urbanely.

"You can show my young friend over the boats, if you will," said
Mitchell. "Rank inlander, Thompson. Rather look at a boat than eat.
Been talking boat, boat, boat to me ever since we left the office."

"Happy to do so," said the merchant-mariner. "You'd better take a
little trip with us, Mr. Thompson--say a run down to Havana. Any
friend of Mr. Mitchell's----"

A young man came tearing across the street at a great rate.
"Mitchell!" he shouted. "Mitchell! Look here!" He thrust a telegram
into Mitchell's hand. "Just reached me by A.D.T. from the Carlton. Let
me have some money, will you? About three thousand. Just got time to
catch the next Pennsylvania train and make connections at Baltimore."

Mitchell spread out the yellow slip and read it aloud. "H'm! 'Ponce de
Leon St Augustine Florida John E Bickford The Carlton New York--Come
at once Father worse Doctor orders to Egypt Jennie.' Why sure, my boy.
Here's what cash I got, and I'll give you a check. Too bad, too bad!
By George, I hope your dad pulls through. What! Blame it, I mean
dammit, I've come off without my checkbook. Got yours, Archie