The two last (I learned afterward) were
frequent partners; Sharpe supplied the capital, and
Fowler, who was quite a character in the islands, and
occupied a considerable station, brought activity,
daring, and a private influence, highly necessary in
the case. Both seemed to approach the business with a
keen sense of romance; and I believe this was the chief
attraction, at least with Fowler--for whom I early
conceived a sentiment of liking. But in that first
moment I had something else to think of than to judge
my new acquaintances; and before Speedy had fished out
the letters, the full extent of our misfortune was
revealed.
"We've rather bad news for you, Mr. Dodd," said Fowler.
"Your firm's gone up."
"Already?" I exclaimed.
"Well, it was thought rather a wonder Pinkerton held on
as long as he did," was the reply. "The wreck deal was
too big for your credit; you were doing a big business,
no doubt, but you were doing it on precious little
capital, and when the strain came, you were bound to
go. Pinkerton's through all right: seven cents
dividend, some remarks made, but nothing to hurt; the
press let you down easy--I guess Jim had relations
there.
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