Jerningham was talking to him. They had exchanged greetings with much cordiality.
"Have you heard from Mrs. Welles?" asked the Alaskan.
"I know it. But I received a wireless from young Wolfe--"
"What did he say?" asked Ashton Welles before he knew it.
Jerningham looked mildly surprised. He answered:
"It was a funny message. He asked me to go to his room and get his trunks, and send all his belongings to London, as he had decided to stay there indefinitely."
"Yes." Jerningham paused. Then he laughed.
"Oh, he is crazy, all right. He answered, 'Yes--with joy! Please send trunks to Thornton's Hotel--'"
"What?" Ashton Welles rose to his feet, his face livid. It was the London hotel where Mrs. Deering lived, the hotel to which Mrs. Welles was going!
"What's the matter?" asked Jerningham, in amazement.
"N-nothing!" said Ashton Welles, huskily. He gulped twice. Then, having spent thirty-five years in Wall Street making money, he explained, "I've got a terrible toothache!" And he put his hand to his left cheek.
"I'm sorry!" said Jemingham so sympathetically that Welles, for all his distress--and nothing is so inherently selfish as suffering--felt a kindly feeling toward the man from Alaska. "Could I ask your advice about a business matter?"
Ashton Welles tried to smile. It was ghastly, but Jemingham did not remark it. He said, placidly:
"I've bought quite a little bunch of VanTwiller stock because you are its president, Mr. Welles. On my honor, that is my only reason. I've paid good prices, too; but you are worth it--to me!" And Jemingham beamed adoringly on the efficient president of the VanTwiller Trust Company.
Ashton Welles said, "Thank you!" and even tried to feel grateful to this queer character from the frozen North who was so naïve in his admiration--and envied him for not having a young wife who had sailed on the same steamer with an exceedingly attractive young man.
"I guess I'm all right in my purchase--what?"
"Oh yes!" said Welles. He was thinking of the _Ruritania_. It did not even occur to him that this Monte Cristo might be worth while to pluck.
"Thank you. I hope I didn't bother you. Good morning, Mr. Welles."
"Good morning, Mr. Jemingham. Er--come in any time you think I can be of service to you."