Paul Prescott's Charge
Page 29
XXIX.
DAWKINS IN DIFFICULTIES.
George Dawkins was standing at his desk one morning, when a man enteredthe office, and stepping up to him, unceremoniously tapped him on theshoulder.
Dawkins turned. He looked extremely annoyed on perceiving his visitor,whose outward appearance was certainly far from prepossessing. His faceexhibited unmistakable marks of dissipation, nor did the huge breastpin and other cheap finery which he wore conceal the fact of his intensevulgarity. His eyes were black and twinkling, his complexion very dark,and his air that of a foreigner. He was, in fact, a Frenchman, thoughhis language would hardly have betrayed him, unless, as sometimes, hechose to interlard his discourse with French phrases.
"How are you this morning, my friend?" said the newcomer.
"What are you here for?" asked Dawkins, roughly.
"That does not seem to me a very polite way of receiving your friends."
"Friends!" retorted Dawkins, scornfully, "who authorized you to callyourself my friend?"
"Creditor, then, if it will suit you better, mon ami."
"Hush," said Dawkins, in an alarmed whisper, "he will hear," here heindicated Paul with his finger.
"And why should I care? I have no secrets from the young man."
"Stop, Duval," exclaimed Dawkins, in an angry whisper, "Leave the officeat once. Your appearing here will injure me."
"But I am not your friend; why should I care?" sneered Duval.
"Listen to reason. Leave me now, and I will meet you when and where youwill."
"Come, that sounds better."
"Now go. I'm afraid Mr. Danforth will be in."
"If he comes, introduce me."
Dawkins would like to have knocked the fellow over.
"Name your place and time, and be quick about it," said he impatiently.
"Eight o'clock this evening, you know where," was the answer.
"Very well. Good-morning."
"Mind you bring some money."
"Good-morning," returned Dawkins, angrily.
At length, much to his relief, Duval left the office. Dawkins stole aside glance at Paul, to see what impression the interview had made uponhim, but our hero, who had overheard some portions of the dialogue,perceiving that Dawkins wished it to be private, took as little noticeof the visitor as possible. He could not help thinking, however, thatDuval was a man whose acquaintance was likely to be of little benefit tohis fellow clerk.
Throughout the day Dawkins appeared unusually nervous, and made severalblunders which annoyed Mr. Danforth. Evidently he had something on hismind. Not to keep the reader in suspense, George had fallen among badcompanions, where he had learned both to drink and to gamble. In thisway he had made the acquaintance of Duval, an unscrupulous sharper, whohad contrived to get away all his ready money, and persuading him toplay longer in the hope of making up his losses had run him into debtone hundred and fifty dollars. Dawkins gave him an acknowledgment ofindebtedness to that amount. This of course placed him in Duval's power,since he knew of no means of raising such a sum. He therefore kept outof the Frenchman's way, avoiding the old haunts where he would have beenlikely to meet him. Dawkins supposed Duval ignorant of the whereaboutsof his employer's counting-room. So he had been, but he made it hisbusiness to ascertain where it was. He had no idea of losing sight of sovaluable a prize.
Dawkins would willingly have broken the appointment he had made withDuval, but he did not dare to do so. He knew that the man was wellable to annoy him, and he would not on any account have had the affairdisclosed to his father or Mr. Danforth.
As Trinity clock struck eight, he entered a low bar-room in theneighborhood of the docks.
A young man with pale, sandy hair stood behind the counter with hissleeves rolled up. He was supplying the wants of a sailor who alreadyappeared to have taken more drink than was good for him.
"Good evening, Mr. Dawkins," said he, "you're a stranger."
"Is Duval in?" inquired Dawkins, coldly. His pride revolted at the placeand company. He had never been here but once before, having met Duvalelsewhere.
"He's up in his room. John show the young gentleman up to No. 9. Won'tyou have a glass of something this evening?"
"No," said Dawkins, abruptly.
The boy preceded him up a dark and dirty staircase.
"That's the room, sir," he said.
"Stop a minute," said Dawkins, "he may not be in."
He inwardly hoped he might not. But Duval answered his knock by comingto the door himself.
"Delighted to see you, mon ami. John, may leave the lamp. That's all,unless Mr. Dawkins wishes to order something."
"I want nothing," said Dawkins.
"They have some capital brandy."
"I am not in the mood for drinking tonight."
"As you please," said the Frenchman, disappointed; "be seated."
Dawkins sat down in a wooden rocking-chair, minus an arm.
"Well," said Duval, "how much money have you brought me?"
"None."
The Frenchman frowned and stroked his mustache, fiercely.
"What does all this mean? Are you going to put me off longer?"
"I would pay it if I could," said Dawkins, "but I haven't got themoney."
"You could get it."
"How?"
"Ask your father."
"My father would rave if he knew that I had lost money in such a way."
"But you need not tell him."
"If I ask for money, he will be sure to ask what I want it for."
"Tell him you want clothes, or a watch, or a hundred things."
Dawkins shook his head; "it won't do," said he. "He wouldn't give me ahundred and fifty dollars."
"Then ask seventy-five, and I will wait a month for the rest."
"Look here, Duval, you have no rightful claim to this money. You've gotenough out of me. Just tear up the paper."
Duval laughed scornfully, "Aha, Mr. Dawkins," he said, "that would bea very pretty arrangement FOR YOU. But I don't see how it is going tobenefit me. No, no, I can't afford to throw away a hundred and fiftydollars so easily. If I was a rich man like your father it would make adifference."
"Then you won't remit the debt," said Dawkins, sullenly.
"You would think me a great ninny, if I did."
"Then you may collect it the best way you can."
"What do you mean by that?" demanded the Frenchman, his face darkening.
"I mean what I say," said Dawkins, desperately, "Gambling debts are notrecognizable in law."
"Nothing is said about it's being a gambling debt. I have your note."
"Which is worth nothing, since I am a minor."
Duval's face became black with rage.
"Aha, my friend," said he showing his teeth, "this is a very nice gameto cheat me out of my money. But it won't do, it won't do."
"Why won't it?"
"I shall say a word in your father's ear, mon ami, and in the ear ofyour worthy employer whom you were so anxious for me not to see, andperhaps that would be worse for you than to pay me my money."
Dawkins's brief exultation passed away. He saw that he was indeed in thepower of an unscrupulous man, who was disposed to push his advantage tothe utmost.
He subsided into a moody silence, which Duval watched with satisfaction.
"Well, my friend, what will you do about it?"
"I don't know what I can do."
"You will think of something. You will find it best," said theFrenchman, in a tone which veiled a threat.
"I will try," said Dawkins, gloomily.
"That is well. I thought you would listen to reason, mon ami. Now wewill have a pleasant chat. Hold, I will order some brandy myself."
"Not for me," said Dawkins, rising from his chair, "I must be going."
"Will you not have one little game?" asked Duval, coaxingly.
"No, no, I have had enough of that. Goodnight."
"Then you won't stop. And when shall I have the pleasure o
f seeing youat my little apartment once more?"
"I don't know."
"If it is any trouble to you to come, I will call at your office," saidDuval, significantly.
"Don't trouble yourself," said Dawkins, hastily; "I will come here aweek from today."
"A week is a long time."
"Long or short, I must have it."
"Very well, mon ami. A week let it be. Good-night. Mind the stairs asyou go down."
Dawkins breathed more freely as he passed out into the open air. He wasbeginning to realize that the way of the transgressor is hard.