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He had to earn money at once, and George Braunschmidt, an old friend of his family, had offered to take him into his own business. He was a South Sea merchant, and he had agencies in many of the islands of the Pacific.
Something told her that his harassed look had to do with Edward and she did not rest till she had made him confess. "The fact is," he said at last, "I heard in a round-about way that Edward was no longer working for Braunschmidt and Co., and yesterday I took the opportunity to ask Mr Braunschmidt himself." "Well?" "Edward left his employment with them nearly a year ago."
"But I thought he came here with a particular recommendation from Mr Braunschmidt. I know Mr Braunschmidt very well." The fat man looked at Bateman with shrewd, suspicious eyes. He called to one of the boys in the warehouse. "Say, Henry, where's Barnard now, d'you know?" "He's working at Cameron's, I think," came the answer from someone who did not trouble to move. The fat man nodded.
When he had arranged about his room Bateman asked to be directed to the premises of Braunschmidt & Co. They were on the front, facing the lagoon, and, glad to feel the solid earth under his feet after eight days at sea, he sauntered down the sunny road to the water's edge.
"If you turn to your left when you get out of here you'll come to Cameron's in about three minutes." Bateman hesitated. "I think I should tell you that Edward Barnard is my greatest friend. I was very much surprised when I heard he'd left Braunschmidt & Co."
"All-light," said the Chinese, with a grin. Edward slipped on a coat and, putting on his hat, accompanied Bateman out of the store. Bateman attempted to put the matter facetiously. "I didn't expect to find you selling three and a half yards of rotten cotton to a greasy nigger," he laughed. "Braunschmidt fired me, you know, and I thought that would do as well as anything else."
The fat man's eyes contracted till they seemed like pin-points, and their scrutiny made Bateman so uncomfortable that he felt himself blushing. "I guess Braunschmidt & Co. and Edward Barnard didn't see eye to eye on certain matters," he replied. Bateman did not quite like the fellow's manner, so he got up, not without dignity, and with an apology for troubling him bade him good-day.
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