XXXV
Orde mounted the office stairs next day with a very heavy step. The
loss of the NORTH STAR and of the two schooners meant a great deal
to him at that time.
"It kicks us into somewhat of a hole," he grumbled to Newmark.
"A loss is never pleasant," replied the latter, "and it puts us out
of the carrying business for awhile. But we're insured."
"I can't understand why Floyd started," said Orde. "He ought to
know better than to face sure prospects of a fall blow. I'll tan
his soul for that, all right!"
"I'm afraid I'm partly responsible for his going," put in Newmark.
"You!" cried Orde.
"Yes. You see that Smith and Mabley shipment was important enough
to strain a point for--and it's only twenty-four hours or so--and it
certainly didn't look to see me as if it were going to blow very
soon. Poor Floyd feels bad enough. He's about sick."
Orde for the first time began to appreciate the pressure of his
circumstances. The loss on the cargo of "uppers" reached about
8,000,000 feet; which represented $20,000 in money. As for the
NORTH STAR and her consorts, save for the insurance, they were
simply eliminated. They had represented property. Now they were
gone. The loss of $60,000 or so on them, however, did not mean a
diminution of the company's present cash resources to that amount;
and so did not immediately affect Orde's calculations as to the
payment of the notes which were now soon to come due.
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