He was gone about
fifteen minutes, during which time he consulted with the "others."
They happened to be two newsboys selling rival afternoon editions.
Matt Peasley did business with each, and after a quick perusal of both
papers, he decided that war was inevitable and resolved to take the
plunge. In no sense of the word, however, did he believe he was
gambling. His conversation with Terence Reardon had convinced him
that the Narcissus was a misunderstood ship--that she had been poorly
managed and was the victim of a false financial policy.
Hence, even though the war should not materialize, he would be making
no mistake in tying her up. She was a bully gamble and a wonderful
bargain at the price; with Terence Reardon presiding over her engines
at a salary twenty-five dollars in excess of the union scale, the
orders to keep her out of the shop would be followed, so far as lay in
Terence's power. Even should he not succeed in financing the
enterprise Cappy Ricks would be glad to take his bargain off his
hands--perhaps at a neat profit. Consequently, Matt went over to his
bank, procured an additional certified check for fifteen thousand
dollars and returned to MacCandless' office, where he signed the
contract of sale and paid over his twenty-five thousand dollars.
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