The Press., 1893-07-06
now, though saw it as near to me as

now, though saw it as near to me as you are"
 .Well, well, we must go by averages of course. Shall we say two yearsS l should think that you have full two years before you"
 ''In two years your pension would bring you in G1 500. Now will do my very best for you, admiral. I will ad- vance you e2,000. and you can make over to me your pension for your life. It is pure speculation on my part. If you die tomorrow, lose my money. If the doctors prophecy is correct. shall still be out of pocket. If you live a lit tie longer, then I may see my money again. It is the very best can do for you"
 "Then you wish to buy my pension?"
 "Yes, for e2,000 down"
 "And if Hive for 20 years?"
 "Oh, in that case of course my specu- lation would be more successful But you have heard the doctors opinion"
 "Would you advance the money in- stantly?'
 sYou should have el ,O00 at once. The other e1 .OOO should expect you to take in furniture"
 ''In furnitureY
 "Yes, admiral. We shall do you a beautiful houseful at that sum. It is the custom of my clients to take half in furniture.
 The admiral sat in dire perplexity. He had come out to get money, and to go back without any, to be powerless to help when his boy needed every shilling to save him from disaster, that would be very bitter to him. On the other hand, it was so much that he surrendered and so little that he received. Little, and yet something. Would it not be better than going back empty handed9 He saw the yellow backed checkbook upon the table. The money lender opened it and dipped his pen in the ink.
 "Shall fill it up?"
 "I think, admiral" remarked West macott, "that we had better have little tie this matter"
 "Oh, we may as well do it at once. It would be absurd to postpone it now, Metaxa spoke with some heat, and his eyes glinted angrily from between his narrow lids at the imperturbableC Charles. The admiral was simple in money mat. ters, but he had seen much of men and had learned to read them. He saw that venomous glance, and saw, too, that in. tense eagerness was peeping out from beneath the careless air which the agent had assumed.
 You're quite right, Westmacott, said he. Well nave 8 little walk be fore we settle it.
 "But I may not be here this after poon." .....
 "Then we must choose another day"
 "But why not settle it now? 70
 Because I prefer not" said the ad piral shortly.
 Every well. But remember that my offer is only for today. It is off unless you take it at once."
 "Let it be off, then"
 "There's my fee," cried the doctor.
 "How muchY'
 "A guinea"
 The admiral threw G1 Is. upon tn table. "Come, Westmacott," said he and they walked together from the room
 
 they found themselves in the street ono more. "I don't profess to be yer, sharp chap, but this is trifle too. thin What did he want to go out and spea1 to the doctor for? And how very con venient this tale of weak heart was. believe they are couple of rogues an in league with each other" "A shark and pilot fish, said the ad miral -sH
 "Pn tell you what l propose, si1 There's 8 lawyer named McAdam, wh does my aunt's business. He is yer honest fellow and lives at the other sid of Poultry. We'll go over to him te gether and have his opinion about tn whole natter
 "How far is it to his place" .e
 "Oh, mile at least. We can have cab." ....
 "A mile? Then we shall see if thel is any truth ill what that swab of do' tor said. Come, my boy, and clap o all sail and see who can stay the longest
 Then the sober denizens of the heart { business London saw singular sight { they returned from their luncheon Down the roadway, lodging among cal and carts, ran weather stained elderl man, with wide, Tapping black hat an homely suit of tweeds. With elbow braced back, hands cinched near h armpits and chest protruded he scudde along, while close at his heels lumbere 8 large limbed, heavy, yellow mustache young man, who seemed to feel the exc else good deal more than his senio On they dashed, helter skelter, until the pulled up painting at the office where tl lawyer of the Westmacotts was to found. "There, now!' cried the admiral triumph. What dye think of tha Nothing wrong in the engine room, eh "You seem fit enough, sir" Blessed if I believe the swab was certifcated doctor at all. He was fyi1
 false colors or am mistaken" ''They keep the directories and regi ters in this eating house." said Westm colt. "We'll go and look him out" They did so, but the medical rolls co tained no such name as that Of D , Proudie of Bread street. . Pretty villainy thisl" cried the adm ral, humping his chest. "A dummy do tor and vamped up disease. We'll, we' tried the rogues, Westmacott! Let us s what we can do with your honest man.