At this point the door opened and the clerk announced, "Captain Cameron,
Sir."
Mr. Rae rose hastily. "Tell him," he said quickly, "to wait--"
He was too late. The Captain had followed close upon the heels of the
clerk, and came in with a rush. "Now, what does all this mean?"
he cried, hardly waiting to shake hands with his solicitor. "What
mischief--?"
"I beg your pardon, Captain," said Mr. Rae calmly, "let me present Mr.
Dunn, Captain Dunn, I might say, of International fame." The solicitor's
smile broke forth with its accustomed unexpectedness, but had vanished
long before Mr. Dunn in his embarrassment had finished shaking hands
with Captain Cameron.
The Captain then turned to his son. "Well, Sir, and what is this affair
of yours that calls me to town at a most inconvenient time?" His tone
was cold, fretful, and suspicious.
Young Cameron's face, which had lighted up with a certain eagerness
and appeal as he had turned toward his father, as if in expectation of
sympathy and help, froze at this greeting into sullen reserve. "I don't
know any more than yourself, Sir," he answered. "I have just come into
this office this minute."
"Well, then, what is it, Mr. Rae?" The Captain's voice and manner were
distinctly imperious, if not overbearing.
Mr. Rae, however, was king of his own castle.
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