you would be more than a match for him,” suggested Guy.
“I think there is no doubt of that. I have been growing stronger, until I am much more powerful than he was at his best, while the years that have elapsed—ten—have probably diminished his vigor.”
During the voyage Guy and August Locke had many pleasant conversations. Guy learned that he was the nephew of a Glasgow merchant, and that his visit to Bombay had been on business.
“You are Scotch?” said Guy.
“My mother was English, so that I am only half Scotch.”
Among the passengers on board was another American, but he was a man of sixty. He seemed a cynical man, who, strangely enough, appeared to conceive a dislike for his young countryman.
Indeed, he had no sympathy with young people, whom he thought to be utterly destitute of judgment. His curiosity was excited by finding a boy of Guy’s age traveling alone, and he plied him with questions till he found out that he was in the employ of John Saunders of Bombay.
“Couldn’t Mr. Saunders find an older representative than you?” he asked, in an unpleasant tone.
“I have no doubt he might, sir.”
“Then he was a fool to confide his business to a mere boy.”
Guy was not offended, but he was amused.
“Do you know Mr. Saunders, sir?” he asked.
“I have met him—in a business way.”
“Did he impress you as a fool?” asked Guy, demurely.
Solon Johnson eyed the boy sharply. He was not quite sure whether he was being made fun of or not.
“I can’t call him that,” he answered, “for he has been successful in business and made a large fortune.”
“Yet he has appointed me his agent.”
“Yes, he has shown his folly there.”
“I suppose if you had known him well enough you would have dissuaded him from doing it?”
“I certainly should. I don’t mean any reflection upon you, young man, but it stands to reason that a boy of your age is unfit for any large responsibility.”
“Perhaps you are right,” said Guy, a little nettled, “but I shall endeavor to show that he made no mistake.”
“I can’t understand at all how such a man should have made such a blunder. Were you ever in business before you left America?”
“No, sir.”
“What could possibly have recommended you to Mr. Saunders?”
Guy could easily have satisfied his curiosity, but he did not propose to do so.
“We became acquainted, sir, and he employed me in his office in Bombay. So he had some opportunity of becoming familiar with my capacity for business.”
“What did he pay you?”
Guy felt that this was going too far. He did not care to gratify Mr. Johnson’s impertinent curiosity.
“You must excuse my answering that question, Mr. Johnson,” he said.
“Oh, well, just as you please. If you were in my office in Boston I should not think of offering you more than five dollars a week.”
“Then, sir, I think I shall hardly be likely to apply to you for employment.”
“I don’t think much of your countryman, Guy,” said August Locke, when they were alone.
“Nor do I, Mr. Locke. I wonder which is right in his estimate of me—Mr. Saunders or he.”
“Mr. Saunders, I am sure.”
“Thank you for your good opinion.”
At length the long voyage was over, and with a thrill of interest and excitement Guy stepped on the wharf at Liverpool.
CHAPTER IX
GUY ARRIVES IN LONDON
In company with his new acquaintance, August Locke, Guy pushed on to London. He knew nothing about hotels, but by the advice of Locke he secured a room at the Charing Cross.
The next morning he called at the offices of Mr. Saunders’ correspondent, Mr. Russell.
These offices were in a solid and heavy-looking building, quite different from the business structures to be found in American cities.
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