I explained myself more fully on this point, and the junior partner of our house mildly expressed his rage. I suppose his stinging conscience did not permit him to do so in a more determined manner. I told him that Mr. Collingsby was in possession of all the facts relating to his defalcations, both of the money and the notes of the firm. He bit his lip in silence for a few moments, as if arranging his mental forces for an assault upon me. "Phil, you have made another stupid blunder," said he. "As I have told you plainly before, you are insufferably conceited. You think you know enough for two men, when you know just half enough for one. That's what's the matter. You have made a pretty kettle of fish." "I think you made it yourself." "Don't be impudent. We must return to Chicago at once." "That's one of my sentiments exactly," I replied. "Shall we weigh anchor now?" "Yes, if you like, though there is no wind. I told you Mr. Collingsby didn't know anything about the business, and would be alarmed at your ridiculous statements." "He knows all about the business now, and, as you say, he is a great deal alarmed." "I assure you, Phil, upon my honor, that everything about the business is all right. You have made another blunder." "I wish I had." "You have." "You drew the balance at the bank, and discounted over thirty thousand dollars' worth of notes." "I did; and as a member of the firm, I had a perfect right to do so. I had a chance to make fifty thousand on one lot of lumber. I was not to be prevented from doing so by a whim of my partner. He prefers generally to furnish money, rather than put our business paper on the market. I gave him the opportunity to do so. He refused, and I raised the money as I could. This is simply a question between Mr. Collingsby and me. When he wishes to dissolve, I'm ready." "May I ask what you are doing over here, with such a heavy transaction on your hands?" "On my way to buy the lumber. I have the money in my bag," said he, holding up the article. "Do you happen to have a package in your bag with my name upon it, taken from the safe?" "I have; and I happen to have also an order from my mother for you to deliver it to me." "Indeed." "Here it is," he added, handing me a crumpled paper. It certainly was an order, setting forth that all differences between Mrs. Whippleton and her son had been settled, and requiring me to give him the papers. "When I was ready to go, I could not find you; so I took the papers; but you have the order now, and I hope you are satisfied on that point." I was not exactly satisfied; but I felt that Mr. Whippleton was arguing me down, if he was not convincing me. "How about those invoices?" I continued. "The agent of the Michigan Pine Company says he sold you no such lumber." "If he will tell me so to my face, I should like to have him do it. I will give him an opportunity to-morrow."