"What"s her name?"
"Her name is the Marian now. Formerly it was the Michigan."
"All right, then. I attach her, and take possession, in the suit of Washburn _versus_ Waterford."
"I"m willing; I have no further use for her," I replied. "But what"s the trouble?"
"Mr. Waterford"s gone up."
"Gone up where?"
"Failed, and those that can get hold of anything are doing so. I have got hold of this boat."
"I thought Mr. Waterford was a rich man," I added, glancing at Marian.
"Most people thought so; but he is a bankrupt now. He made some ten or twelve thousand dollars, they say, in a lucky speculation, and on the strength of that has had the reputation of being worth a hundred thousand. He and Mr. Whippleton have been making some bad speculations in lands, which will not fetch what they paid for them. While they were looking over the affairs of Mr. Whippleton, who ran away, they found that Waterford was as deep in the mud as he was in the mire. I have been on the lookout for this boat since night before last."
"What has been done about Mr. Whippleton"s affairs?" I asked, with no little curiosity.
"His partner has been overhauling his business, and finds that he has been terribly swindled. Officers have been on the lookout for him since he left, and telegrams have been sent in every direction. They can"t find him, or even hear of him. He went off in his boat, and they think now that he has made his way into Canada. Where have you been all this time with the boat?"
"On a cruise. Are you an officer?" I asked.
"Certainly I am. How could I serve a writ if I were not?"
"Do you know where there is another one?"
"I can find a policeman, I suppose. What do you want of him?"
"I have a prisoner I wish to put into safe keeping."
"Who is he?"
"Mr. Charles Whippleton."
"You don"t say so!" exclaimed the officer.
I pulled off the blankets in which the late junior partner had enfolded himself, and exhibited my prisoner.
"What"s the matter with him? Is he sick?"
"He has a sore head. But please to get another officer, and a carriage."
"Let him get two. I want one," said Marian.
"I don"t know you; but I begin to think you are the clerk that disappeared," added the man.
"I am; I was in the employ of Collingsby and Whippleton."
"n.o.body knew what had become of you; but Mr. Whippleton"s mother said you had run away with all her property. The officers are on the lookout for you also."
"I am at their disposal whenever they want me," I replied, choking at this disagreeable information.
"Mr. Collingsby thinks you have gone with Whippleton, and that you were concerned with him in the frauds."
"Does he?"
"Is this lady Miss Collingsby?"
"It is."
"Her father and mother believe she has run away with Mr. Waterford.
There"s all sorts of stories floating about. I suppose, if I bring one of the police, they will arrest you."
"No matter for that; bring him along. If I had been guilty, I should not have brought Mr. Whippleton back."
The officer departed, and I lowered the mainsail. I told Peter to put the yacht in good order.
"Can"t you untie me now, Phil?" asked Mr. Whippleton.
"Not till the officers come. I don"t intend to make any more blunders."
"You have wound me up completely," said he, bitterly, as he glanced towards the city. "I suppose I must take things as they come."
"Your mother accuses me of running away with her property. How could that be if she gave you an order for the package?" I inquired.
"I dare say you will get at the whole truth in due time. It is not necessary for me to say anything more."
And he did not say anything more. He was in pain bodily; but I am sure his sufferings mentally were infinitely more intense. As I looked at him, reclining on his couch, I could not help thinking that his mother was even more to blame for his misfortunes than he was himself. Instead of filling his mind with Christian principles, she had fed him with the dry husks of worldly wisdom. She had taught him to get money; that it was shrewd and praiseworthy to overreach and deceive. His father had died when he was young, and his mother had had the whole training of him. Before G.o.d, she was responsible, though her neglect and her errors could not excuse him. I thanked G.o.d anew, as I looked at him, for the Christian teachings of Mr. Gracewood, who had implanted in my soul a true principle.
The officers came, and Mr. Whippleton was relieved of his bonds, and permitted to stand up. He could not walk at first, and had to be a.s.sisted to the carriage. I was careful to have his travelling bag placed in the care of the officers. I had locked it up in the cabin when I obtained possession of the yacht, for I knew that its contents would go far towards indemnifying his partner for his losses. At my request, the officers took the prisoner to Mr. Collingsby"s house.
Marian and I went in one carriage, while the officers, with Mr.
Whippleton, occupied the other.
"I tremble when I think of meeting my father," said my fair companion.
"You need not. He will be too glad to see you safe and sound to find any fault with you."
"I have been very imprudent."
"I know you have; but you meant no wrong. You are fortunate to be able to return as you are, for Mr. Waterford is a bankrupt, and a mere adventurer."
"My father was right."
"Fathers are almost always right," I replied, as the carriage stopped before the house.
I found that Marian was trembling violently when I helped her out. We were admitted to the library. Mrs. Collingsby was up, but her husband had not risen yet. The fond mother folded her lost daughter in her arms, and they wept together.
"Let me call your father," said she, leaving the room hastily.