The Press., 1893-07-06
CHAPTER XIV
EASTWARD HO!

.Mr McAdam of the firm of MeAdam & Squire was a highly polished man who dwelt behind highly polished table III the neatest and snuggest of offices. He was white haired and amiable. with 8 deem lined auuiline face, was addicted to low bows and indeed always seemed to carry himself at half cock, as though just descending into one or just recovering himself. He wore a high buckled stock, took snuff and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics
 My dear sir" said he when he had listened to their story, "any friend or Mrs. West1nacott's is friend or m1ne. Try a pinch. l wonder that you should have gone to this man Metaxa. His ad- excitement is enough to condemn him. Habet foenum in cornu. They are all rognes.' roo,,a too didn't like the look of him at the time.
 "Arcades ambo. But now we must zee what we can do for you. Of course what Metaxa said was perfectly right. The pension is in itself no security at all unless it were accompanied by life assurance which would be an income in itself. It is no good whatever.
 | His clients faces fell.
 "But there is the second alternative. | You might sell the pension right out Speculative investors occasionally deal | in such things. 1 have one client, sporting man. who would be very likely to take it up if we could agree upon terms, Of course l must follow Me taxa's example by sending for doctor"
 For the second time was the admiral punched and tapped and listened to. l This time, however, there could be no question of the qualifications of the doc l tor. a well known fellow of the College of Surgeons, and his report was as favor able as the others had been adverse.
 ..He has the heart and chest of man of 4O," said he. II can recommend his life as one of the best of his age that have ever examined"
 "That's well" said MT. McAdam, mak- ing A. note of the doctors remarks, while the admiral disbursed second guinea.
 .Your price, I understand, is G5 ,0OO. l
 can communicate with MT. Elberry, my
 client, and let you know whether he
 cares to touch the matter. Meanwhile
 you can leave your pension papers here,
 and will give you q receipt for them"
 "Very well. I should like the money
 soon."
 s"That is why am retaining the pa
 pers. If can see MT. Elberry today, we
 may let you have a check tomorrow.
 Try another pinch. No? Well, goodby.
 am very happy to have been of serv-
 ice" MT. McAdam bowed them out, for
 he was very busy man, and they found
 themselves in the street once more with
 lighter hearts than when they had left 1t.
 Well, Westmacott, l am sure l am
 very much obliged to you," said the ad- miral "You have stood by me when was the better for a little help, for I'm
 clean out of my soundings among these
 city sharks. But I've something to do
 now which is more ill my own line, and
 need not trouble you any more."
 'Oh, it is no trouble. have nothing , to do. never have anything to do. don't suppose I could do it if had. should be delighted to come with you , sir, if can be of any use"
 } "No, no, my lad. You go home again 7 It would be kind of you, though, if yor would look in at No. when you ge z back and tell my wife that all's well witt - me and that I'll be back in an hour or so. I "All right, sir; I'll tell her." Westma l colt raised his hat and strode away tt
 the westward, while the admiral, after 1
 hurried lunch, bent his steps toward tn
 east.
 ,. It was long walk, but the old sea 0 man swung along at rousing pace v leaving street after street behind him e The great business palaces dwindle' - down into commonplace shops .an q dwellings, which decreased and becam
 more stunted, even as the folk who file
 them did, until he was deep in the evl a places of the eastern end. It was Ian
 of huge, dark houses and of garish gi @ shops, land, too, where life moves il j. regularly and where adventures are t D be gained-as the admiral was to lear to his cost.
 # He was hurrying down one of tn s long. narrow stone fla .ssged lanes betwee }. the double lines of crouching, dishevele s women and of dirty children who sa y on the hollowed steps of the houses an d basked in the autumn sun. At one sid 8 was barrowman with load of wa is nuts, and beside the barrow 8 bedras d gled woman with a black fringe and d checkered shawl thrown over her head d She was cracking walnuts and pickin r. them out of the shells, throwing out F. remark occasionally to rough man in y rabbit skin cap, with straps under th le knees of his corduroy trousers, wh ,e stood putting black clay pipe with h
 back against the wall. What the caus n of the quarrel was or what sharp sa t2 casm from the woman's lips pricked sut p denly through that thick skin may nevt
 be known, but suddenly the man toe a his pipe in his left hand, leaned forwa1 lg and deliberately struck her across u
 face with his right. It was slap rath' S. than blow, but the woman gave B. sharp cry and covered up against u ~ barrow with her hand to her cheek. D. "You internal villain?' cried the a. r. miral, raising his stick. "You brute al
 blackguard"