ABSTRACT
YOUNG Northwood, as time advanced, got his firm into good working order with a small but efficient staff. His right-hand man was Enrico Busoni, a smart young Italian who was faithful and sincere. Busoni held a responsible position in a great German house which suddenly went smash as a consequence of over-speculation in gambier. Northwood was only too glad to get the services of Busoni. Mr. Fuller, of Brown-low and Co., had induced Northwood to allow him to send for his brother, who, accordingly, turned up and joined the office in Battery Road. The younger Fuller proved to be smart enough at his work; but he unfortunately had a taste for fast life, though this characteristic did not exhibit itself to its full extent until later. The book-keeping department was in the charge of Mr. Antony Arratoon, a young Armenian gentleman, who obtained his billet thanks to the influence of his uncle with Captain Northwood. Tony was a first-class book-keeper, thoroughly honest, and a very pleasant-mannered person, albeit touchy concerning his personal dignity. There was, of course, the usual team of Eurasian and Chinese copying clerks, and native tambies, or office servants and messengers. The offices themselves were spacious, airy, and simply but very suitably furnished. The offices downstairs were entirely under the control of Koh Say Kiat, a quiet, capable, and faithful Chinaman, who selected the cashier and staff of weighing clerks from amongst his own friends, and was personally responsible for them. It was a very mixed staff to manage, but the Northwoods were very good masters to serve, and knew exactly how to handle their people. A thoroughly good feeling reigned throughout the Battery Road establishment, with the result that the work was well done and in a friendly spirit.
