Disclaimer: See earlier chapter

Yes, Lance = the Abbé = Lord Wilmore = the clerk = many other aliases…

Chapter 7: The fifth of September

“Monsieur.” Andrews said uneasily, as his clerk, Brawly announced the arrival of a stranger. “You wished to speak to me?”

“Yes,” The Englishman said, after a brief pause in which he studied the worn visage of the poor old merchant. “I am from the house of Thomson and French, of Rome, and we hold bills of yours, for a total of,” Here he checked his notes, “Two hundred thousand francs.”

“That is correct,” Andrews said, sighing.

“And we expect you to pay with the same exactitude you have always shown.”

“Alas, sir, I have but one hope left, and that is the Dragonite.” Andrews said. “She was expected back a month ago, and I am afraid…”

“What should you do if this last resource fail you?”

Andrews paled. “Well, it is difficult, sir, but I would be forced to suspend my payments. I would have to declare bankruptcy…”

“Have you no friends to aid you?”

“In business, sir, we have no friends, only acquaintances.”

The Englishman accepted this reasoning. Suddenly, the sound of sobs and stifled shouts were heard from the stairway.

Andrews paled, and as the door opened, his daughter Aya flung herself into his arms. “Oh father, please, please be brave!”

“The Dragonite, then, has perished?”

Aya nodded, her face wet with tears.

“And the crew?”

“Saved by the vessel that just pulled in, the Clamperl.”

Andrews sighed and looked towards heaven.

Soon, the door opened and seven or eight sailors trooped in. At this sight, the Englishman started and retreated to a dark corner of the room.

“What happened, Falkner?” Andrews asked.

The young man sighed and begun his story.

A tale of woe was spun, but at least the crew had been saved. Soon, the sailors exited, paid, and yet, their hearts broken, for the worthy ship owner now had no money for ships, and no ships left, and had charged them to find new masters.

The Englishman rose and addressed Andrews.

“It seems to me, sir, that you are beset by misfortune. However, that only increases my desire to serve you.”

“Sir?”

“Let me see,” The Englishman checked his portfolio. “I am one of your largest creditors.”

“Your bills are certainly due first.”
“Perhaps, I could offer an extension?”

“That would save my honor, and certainly my life.” Andrews said in surprise.

“Very well, I give you three months.” The Englishman said. “Today is the fifth of June, I give you until the fifth of September.” The old bills were destroyed, new ones created, and then the Englishman left.

The poor shipowner had three months with which to collect his resources.

“Oh sir!” Aya said, “Thank you.”

“Mademoiselle.” The Englishman said. “One day you will receive a letter signed ‘Sinbad the Sailor’. Obey the contents of the letter, no matter how strange it may appear.’

Aya nodded. “I will.”

“Fare thee well then, Mademoiselle.” The Englishman vanished, and Aya stood staring at the spot he had occupied mere seconds ago. Where had he-?

“Now, then,” The Englishman said to one of the sailors, a Falkner by name. “I require your assistance…”

Three months later…

By the grace he had been granted, poor Monsieur Andrews paid off the rest of his debts. But alas, he had no way to pay the house of Thomson and French, and it was then that he thought of Danglars, a millionaire, who could save him only by guaranteeing a loan.

But Danglars had become proud and cold, and refused to help his old master.

Aya decided to write to her brother Koga, she was at the end of her rope as how to help her father. What could she do?

It was the fifth of September exactly, when he arrived.

“We are ruined, Koga.” Aya said simply. “Father has locked himself in his study with orders not to see any one, and Brawly tells me that he owes 200,000 francs while we barely have fifteen thousand in the house.”

Koga stared with wide eyes. “Impossible!”

“True, though. Listen, aniki, you must go to him. He will not listen to me.”

Koga promised and dashed up the stairs. The clock read ten thirty.

As Aya went down, she spotted a silver-eyed young man with dark hair holding a letter out to her.

“Here. Read this. It is in the best interest of your father.”

Aya stared at the letter, then dashed off to follow its instructions. ‘In a small house six roads from here, find a red purse on the mantelpiece and give it to your father. Sinbad the Sailor.’

Up in the study…

“Father! Why do you have a brace of pistols under your coat.” Koga demanded.

“I suppose your sister has told you,” Andrews said gloomily.

“Father, please.” Koga pleaded, knowing full well what was going to happen… oh yes… after all, blood… pays…

“You are my son. You know. In half an hour our name will be dishonored. But blood washes away dishonor.”

“I…” Koga found himself speechless. “Is there nothing I can do?”

“Watch over your sister for me.”

“I will.” Koga promised.

They embraced, and for a moment, two noble hearts beat against each other.

“There is one last thing.” Andrews said. “Only one man showed me any hope. He granted me three month’s extension, though by pity or selfishness I cannot tell, for it is not for me to read men’s hearts. He was the agent of Thomas and French, of Rome. When the time comes, please pay this man first, and respect him.”

Koga nodded his assent and exited, leaving his father alone.

Andrews mused on how time seemed to pass faster when death was coming. And yet, it also held a quality of leaden stillness.

The minutes ticked by quickly. Suddenly, there was a flash of light. Andrews placed the pistol in his mouth and closed his eyes. The door opened.

“FATHER!”
Andrews opened his eyes and saw Aya run in. She threw something into his lap. “Father, you are saved!”

“Saved?” Andrews opened the red purse, and was shocked to discover that at one end was the bill for 200,000 francs, receipted, and at the other, was a lovely amethyst-shade diamond, with ‘Aya’s dowry’ written on a small strip of blue paper next to it.

Andrews wiped his head, this all seemed like a dream. At that moment the clock struck eleven.

“Tell me, my child, where did you find this purse?”

“In a small house, on the mantelpiece.” Aya said.

“But the purse is not yours!”

Aya showed her father the mysterious letter she had received. “Brawly went with me, but then he disappeared.”

“Monsieur Andrews!” A voice cried.

Andrews turned and saw, strangely enough, Brawly and Koga and a whole entourage heading up the stairs.

“The Dragonite! They hail the Dragonite!”

‘Impossible.” Andrews breathed.

“Father, how could you say that the Dragonite was lost?” Koga asked. “She is pulling into harbor at this very moment.”

Indeed, as they headed down, Andrews saw, to the disbelief of his senses, Captain Blaine on board, directing orders, and Falkner making signals to him. He could no longer doubt this miracle.

A pair of golden eyes watched as father, son, and daughter embraced on the quay. “Ah, be happy, noble heart, for the good has been repaid… Now, let us see if the God of Vengeance will let me repay evil.”

And with that, the owner lightly jumped down from his vantage point, landed on board of a small yacht, which swept him up into the wide horizon.

End Chapter 7

Completed 6/20/03