Till the Clock Stops | Page 2

genially, "that in present
circumstances it was not possible for us to advance even a trifle like
three thousand without something in the way of security--merely as a
matter of form, as you have put it. We might have asked him to sign a
bill or bond; but that method would have been repugnant to you,
Lancaster, as it was to me. As we have arranged it, Alan can start for
the Arctic without feeling a penny in debt--"
"Hardly that," the young man quickly put in. "But I shall go without
feeling I must meet grasping creditors the moment I return. Upon my
word, you have treated me magnificently. When the chance came, so
unexpectedly, of taking over Garnet's share and place in the expedition,
and when my Uncle Christopher flatly refused to advance the money, I
felt hopelessly knocked out, for such a trip had been the ambition of my
life. Why, I had studied for it, on the off-chance, for years! I didn't go
into a geographical publisher's business just to deal in maps, you know.
And then you both came to the rescue--why I can't think, unless it was
just because you knew my poor father in South Africa. Well, I wish he
and my mother were alive to add their thanks--"

"Don't say another word, old chap," said Bullard.
"I will say just this much: if I don't come back, I honestly hope that will
of mine may some day bring you the fortune I've been told I shall
inherit, though, candidly, I don't believe in it."
"But the will is only a matter of--" began Lancaster.
Bullard interposed. "You will repay us from the profits of the big book
you are going to write. I must say your publisher mentioned pretty
decent terms. However, let's finish the business and go to lunch. Here
you are, Alan!--our cheques for £1500 each."
Alan took the slips of tinted paper with a gesture in place of uttered
thanks. He was intensely grateful to these two men, who had made
possible the desire of years. The expedition was no great national affair;
simply the adventure of a few enthusiasts whose main object was to
prove or disprove the existence of land which a famous explorer had
believed his eyes had seen in the far distance. But the expedition would
find much that it did not seek for, and its success would mean
reputation for its members, and reputation would, sooner or later, mean
money, which this young man was by no means above desiring,
especially as the money would mean independence and--well, he was
not yet absolutely sure of himself with respect to matrimony.
He regretfully declined Bullard's invitation to lunch. There were so
many things to be done, for the expedition was to start only eight days
later, and he had promised to take a bite with his friend Teddy France.
"Then you will dine with us to-night," Lancaster said, rising. "You
must give us all the time you can possibly spare before you go. My
wife and Doris bade me say so."
"I will come with pleasure," he replied, flushing slightly. Of late he had
had passages bordering on the tender with Doris Lancaster, and but for
the sudden filling of his mind with thoughts of this great adventure in
the Arctic he might have slipped into the folly of a declaration. Folly,
indeed!--for well he was aware that he was outside any plans which

Mrs. Lancaster may have had for her charming and very loveable
daughter. And yet the mention of her name, the prospect of seeing her,
stirred him at the moment when the great adventure was looming its
largest. Well, he was only four-and-twenty, and who can follow to their
origins the tangling dreams of youth? One excitement begets another.
Romance calls to romance. He was going to the Arctic in spite of all
sorts of difficulties, therefore he would surely win through to other
desires--however remote, however guarded. As a matter of fact, he
wanted to be in love with Doris, if only to suffer all manner of pains for
her sake, and gain her in the end.
He shook hands again with his benefactors.
"You'll be going to Scotland to see your uncle before you start, I
suppose?" said Lancaster.
"Yes; I'll travel on Sunday night, and spend Monday at Grey House.
You must not think that he and I have quarrelled," Alan said, with a
smile. "It takes two to make a quarrel, you know, and I owe him far too
much to be one of them. I'd have given in to his wishes had it been
anything but an Arctic Expedition. But we shall part good friends, you
may be sure."
"It's understood," Bullard remarked, "that he is not to be