Out came, not Wardlaw junior, but Wardlaw senior.
"My son is in no condition to receive you," said he, gravely; "but I am at your service.

What is your business ?" Wylie was taken off his guard, and stammered out something about the _Shannon._ "The _Shannon!_ What have you to do with her?
You belong to the _Proserpine."_ "Ay, sir; but I had his orders to ship forty chests of lead and smelted copper on board the _Shannon."_ "Well ?" "Ye see, sir," said Wylie, "Mr.Wardlaw was particular about them, and I feel responsible like, having shipped them aboard another vessel." "Have you not the captain's receipt ?" "That I have, sir, at home.

But you could hardly read it for salt water." "Well," said Wardlaw senior, "I will direct our agent at Liverpool to look after them, and send them up at once to my cellars in Fenchurch Street.

Forty chests of lead and copper, I think you said." And he took a note of this directly.

Wylie was not a little discomfited at this unexpected turn things had taken; but he held his tongue now, for fear of making bad worse.