And those freighters I've
chartered--why, I could never have chartered them without your help.
Who was I? Would I have had any credit or standing with those big
Eastern shipping firms? Not much! I represented myself as the
general manager of the Blue Star Navigation Company. And they knew
about you--you were rated A-1 in financial circles."
"You what?" yelled Cappy. "General manager! You infernal duffer, why
didn't you cut the whole hog and call yourself president?"
"I had my cards printed to read: Vice President and General Manager,"
Matt replied with a twinkle. "I didn't feel any qualms of conscience
about cutting that much of the hog, because I knew you would make me
vice president and general manager as soon as I got back with the
bacon! So I signed all the charters, 'Blue Star Navigation Company,
by Matthew Peasley, V. P. and G.M.'--drew a raft of sight drafts on
you also. They'll be putting in an appearance in a day or two. I got
home just about two jumps ahead of them."
"You're a devil!" said Cappy Ricks. "But--I'll pay the drafts." Matt
laughed happily. "You're bringing about a million and a half into the
company--at least, if everything goes well, you will; and you've got a
half interest in what you have brought in," Cappy continued.
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