The Closed Harbour Read Online Free PDF Page B

now, and he is our best man."
    They had reached the steps.
    "It's been interesting," Follet said, "but shall we now let Marius rot?"
    "Very well, sir we'll let him rot," Philippe replied, and together they went out into the bright sunshine.
    "Manos is waiting for you in your office, sir," Marcelle said, as soon as Follet came in.
    "Thank you."
    "Ah Manos. A pleasure. I so rarely see my Captains. How are you, my dear fellow?"
    Grunting a little Manos replied, "you rarely see your ships, either. I am quite well, thank you."
    "But I dream about them," Follet said, "do sit down."
    Manos was as Spanish as Jerez. Follet often thought he had in him the blood of an old pirate, he often stared at the Captain's ears, they used at one time to carry ear-rings. He sprawled in the chair.
    "Have a cigar?"
    "Thank you, sir. Some stuff is not yet through, Monsieur Follet, and my hatch is waiting. Beyond number five we are battened down and derricks home, we are indeed ready. Again, I want to be off."
    He sent smoke flying round the office.
    "Is that all you called about?"
    "Of course, and you yourself are only waiting for me to be under way."
    Follet growled. "Time has never stopped being money."
    Manos tossed back his head. "Indeed! I was unaware of it."
    Noticinga mass of papers, Manos remarked that Monsieur Follet was somewhat busy.
    "I was checking up on a certain matter."
    "I see."
    "I've often wondered what you thought about it?"
    "About it, about what?"
    "Nothing, really."
    Manos shrugged his shoulders. "One thing upon which you may congratulate yourself Monsieur Follet, is that we have such a splendid lot of men."
    "Including Captains?"
    "I thank you."
    Follet sat up in his chair. "Well now? Have you had a man by the name of Marius looking for a job aboard the Clarté?"
    "I'm not interested. It's the Nantes man, no, not at all. Many skippers have lost their tickets and will do again."
    He turned round, swept the office at a glance.
    "How comfortable you are here" he said. "To return to important matters, I hope I'll see this consignment on the quay before five o'clock. It's important, you know it is."
    "It will be there."
    "Good. Then I am satisfied."
    "Tell me, Manos, would you ship this Marius?"
    "If he were a good sailor and I was a hand short."
    "Isn't he a good sailor?"
    "I'm not as close to him as that," replied Manos.
    He was staring down at the red carpet, he liked this, he wished he had one as good for his cabin in the Clarté .
    "But you are tight-minded as well as tight-fisted."
    "I have to respect my crew."
    "So there is something in it?"
    Manos shook his head.
    "Nothing in it. If this bum's dragging through the gutter, then it's his own fault. When a man with his record refuses to ship below his rank—well, I ask you—" and Manos threw out his hands in a despairing gesture, "the man's crazy. There are ways of climbing. No one can find them for you, you find them yourself. Marius will."
    "At fifty?"
    "I must be off, Monsieur Follet. Thanks for the cigar."
    "Suppose he came to you for a job?"
    "With great respect to you, I refuse to discuss the matter."
    "Your ears are closed to the stories then?"
    "The common mouth is a very large one," replied Manos, "anything may come out of it," he tossed his cigar into the grate. "I must go. I've things to do," and he picked up his hat.
    He paused at the door. "You'll find out about the lorries?"
    "I'll ring at once."
    "Shall I wait while you ring?"
    "There's no need," and Follet's voice sounded somewhat stiff. He stretched out a hand.
    "Well Manos—sailor's affairs are sailor's affairs, eh?"
    "Sailor's affairs are most often sailor's affairs. Good-bye."
    "Good-bye. Pleasant voyage."
    "Thanks," and Manos went out through the door.
    Follet threw away his cigar, sat down and rang up Marcelle.
    Manos waddled his way out. He had a beautiful roll, it often made passers-by think he was drunk. In a considerate way they would steer their way past him. He reached the Clarté in a leisurely,