Captain Jackson did not seem equally gratified at meeting the merchant.  He took his hand coldly, and scarcely smiled in return.

“When did you arrive?” asked Mr. Jones.

“This morning.”

“Indeed!  I was not aware of it.  For over a week I have been expecting you.”

The captain merely bowed.

“Will you be around to my store this afternoon?” asked Mr. Jones.

“I presume not.”

There was now, on the part of Mr. Jones, an embarrassed pause.  Then he said—­

“Shall I have the sale of your cargo?”

“No, sir,” was promptly and firmly answered.

“I have made the consignment to Armor.”

“To Armor!” exclaimed Mr. Jones, in ill-concealed surprise.

“He’s a perfectly fair man, is he not?” said the captain.

“Oh yes.  Perfectly fair.  He’ll do you justice, without doubt.  Still I must own to being a little disappointed, you were satisfied with the way your business was done last time.”

“Not altogether, Mr. Jones,” said Captain Jackson.  “You were a little too sharp for, me—­rather too eager, in securing your own advantage, to look narrowly enough to mine.  Such was my impression, and it has, been confirmed since my arrival this morning.”

“That’s a grave charge, Captain Jackson,” said Mt.  Jones; “You must explain yourself.”

“I’m a plain spoken, and a straightforward sort of a man, sir.”  The captain drew himself up, and looked particularly dignified.  “The truth is, as I have said, I thought you were rather too sharp for me the last time.  But I determined to try you once more, and to watch you as closely as a cat watches a mouse.  I was on my way to your store, when I met an old friend, in business here, and, put to him the direct question as to what he thought of your fairness in trade.  ‘He’s sharp,’ was the answer.  ‘He will not take an undue advantage?’ said I.  ’Your idea as to what constitutes an undue advantage would hardly agree with that of Mr. Jones,’ replied my friend.  And then he related the circumstance of your finding Armor in a tight place last week, and getting from him a lot of goods for two hundred dollars less than they were worth.  I went to Armor, and, on his confirming the statement, at once placed my cargo in his hands.  The commissions will repair his loss, and give him a few hundred dollars over.  I’m afraid of men who are too sharp in dealing.  Are you satisfied with my explanation?”

“Good morning, sir,” said Mr. Jones.

“Good morning,” returned, Captain Jackson.  And bowing formally, the two men separated.

That didn’t pay,” muttered Jones between his teeth, as he moved on with his eyes cast to the ground, even in his chagrin and mortification using his favourite word—­

“No, it, didn’t pay,” And, in truth, no operations of this kind do really pay.  They may seem to secure advantage, but always result in loss—­if not in lose of money, in loss of that which should be dearer to a man than all the wealth of the Indies—­his self-respect and virtuous integrity of character.