His name is Abijah Warren, and--Wait! His middle name
is Rodgers, though. Did 'Bije send you to me?"
"A moment, Captain. Was your brother a broker?"
"Yes. His office is--or used to be on Broad Street. What--"
"You have not heard from him for some time?"
"Not for eighteen years. He and I didn't agree as well as we might.
Maybe 'twas my fault, maybe 'twas his. I have my own ideas on that. If
you're lookin' for 'Bije Warren's brother, Mr. Graves, I guess you've
come to the right place. But WHAT he sent you to me for, or what
he wants--for he wants somethin', or he wouldn't have sent--I don't
understand."
"Why do you think he wanted something?"
"Because he's 'Bije Warren, and I was brought up with him. When we was
young ones together, he went to school and I went to work. He got the
frostin' on the cake, and I got the burnt part next to the pan. He went
to college, and I went to sea. He... However, you mustn't think I find
fault with him for that. I sp'iled him as much as anybody, I guess.
'Twas later on that we... Well, never mind that, either. What is it he
wants of me, after eighteen years?"
"He wants a good deal of you, Captain Warren. Or DID want it."
"Did? Don't he want it now?"
"I don't know. Captain, I'm surprised that you haven't heard.
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