It was in the afternoon of the fourth day that Tom was walking through the lower part of Pearl Street, when he found himself passing in front of a warehouse2, on which was the firm name of Richard Armstrong & Co.
“Richard Armstrong,” repeated Tom. “Why, that must be the merchant to whom my father lent ten thousand dollars. By his failure one-quarter of my property is gone.”
There might, of course, be another Richard Armstrong, but Tom was impressed with the idea that this was the man—his father’s friend.
He paused before the entrance.
“Shall I go in,” he thought. “Perhaps I shall hear something that will give me a clearer idea of my prospects3.”
A clerk brushed by him as this thought entered his mind, saying rather impertinently:
“What business have you here, boy? Don’t you know any better than to fill up this passage-way?”
Tom was spirited, and in the habit of standing4 up for his rights. He decided5, upon the moment, to go in.
“I have as much business here as you,” he retorted, and followed the clerk in.
“I have,” said Tom quietly. “Is Mr. Armstrong in?”
“Yes, he is; but he can’t see you.”
“How do you know?”
“He’s busy.”
“I think he’ll see me,” said Tom. “Please hand him that card and let me know what he says.”
The clerk was half-inclined to refuse, but in spite of his reluctance7, he felt constrained8 to obey.
“It’s likely Mr. Armstrong will allow himself to be interrupted by an errand-boy,” he said sneeringly9.
“I suppose you mean yourself,” said Tom quickly.
“No, I don’t,” said the other, provoked; “I mean you.”
“Then you’re mistaken. I am not an errand-boy.”
“Are you a newsboy or boot-black? If you’ve got a bill against Mr. Armstrong for blacking his boots it won’t be necessary for you to see him.”
“I don’t black boots,” said Tom. “Sometimes I do a little in blacking eyes.”
“You’re the cheekiest youngster I’ve met lately.”
The young man would have replied, but a voice from an inner room called him, and he hurried away.
“I wonder whether he’ll do my errand,” thought Tom. “If he doesn’t, I’ll make a fuss.”
But the card was delivered. The clerk was actuated partly by curiosity, partly by the desire to carry back to Tom a curt11 refusal. But he was rather astonished when his employer, with a look of interest, said:
“Tom Temple! bring him in at once.”
“You’re to go in,” said the clerk, coming out and calling Tom.
“I told you so,” said Tom quietly.
“I wonder what business he has anyhow,” thought the clerk, “or who he is. He’s an impudent chap.”
Entering the counting-room, Tom found himself in the presence of a stout12, dignified-looking man of about forty-five years of age.
“Yes, sir,” said Tom respectfully.
“I am glad to see you. Take a seat. Your father was my intimate friend. I was several years older than he, but we went to school together.”
“I have heard him say so, sir.”
“You find me under a cloud,” said the merchant, a shadow sweeping14 over his face. “Perhaps you have heard of my failure.”
“Yes, sir, I have,” said Tom.
“I have heard that also, sir,” said Tom; “but I am sure that your failure is the result of misfortune, and I have called to express my sympathy for my father’s friend.”
“Thank you, my boy,” said the merchant warmly, grasping the hand of our hero. “You say this with the full knowledge that you have lost a large sum by me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You remind me of your father—a noble, generous man, and a true friend. I regret more than before that you are involved in my losses.”
“Don’t think too much of it, sir.”
“I will at any rate give you some explanation of my failure, so that you may know that it was as much my misfortune as an error of judgment16.”
“I don’t ask any explanation, Mr. Armstrong,” said Tom, who was quite won over by the merchant’s friendly manner.
“I would rather be understood—by you, at least. You must know, then, that though I had met with considerable losses, which had of course crippled me, I should still have remained solvent17 but for the treachery of a clerk in whom I reposed18 the utmost confidence.”
“Indeed, sir!” said Tom, surprised.
“One morning I had some very heavy payments to make,” the merchant proceeded. “I had, however, a considerable sum in bank, and valuable securities convertible19 at a moment’s notice, sufficient to provide for the balance required. At twelve o’clock I sent the clerk to the bank with a check. He didn’t return. I waited in the utmost anxiety for him to come back, but he had drawn20 the money, abstracted the securities, and taken to flight. Money was tight. I was unable to provide for my notes. The day passed, and I was a bankrupt.”
“How much did this man carry away with him?” asked Tom, interested.
“In money and securities, about one hundred thousand dollars.”
“Have you heard nothing from him since?”
“Why don’t you pursue him?” asked Tom energetically.
“I can’t go myself. I have communicated with detectives there, but I have not much faith in their success.”
“It would be better to send a special agent.”
“Perhaps so, but I should not know whom to send.”
Tom’s thoughts had been busy. A strange plan had entered his mind.
“Send me, Mr. Armstrong,” he said; “I will try to find him for you.”
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收听单词发音
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1
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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2
warehouse
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| n.仓库；vt.存入仓库 | |
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3
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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4
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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5
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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6
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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8
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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9
sneeringly
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| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
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10
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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11
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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13
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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14
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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15
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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16
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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17
solvent
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| n.溶剂；adj.有偿付能力的 | |
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18
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
convertible
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| adj.可改变的，可交换，同意义的；n.有活动摺篷的汽车 | |
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20
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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21
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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