The state herald., 1895-09-27
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His clients faces fell.
But there Is the second alternative.
You might sell the pension right out.
Speculative investors occasionally deal
In such things. have one client. a
sporting man. who would be very likely
to take 1t up II we could agree upon
, terms OF course. I must follow Me.
taxa's example by sending for doctor.
For the second time was the Admiral
punched and tapped and listened to.
This time, however. there could be no
question Of the qualifications Of the
doctor. well-known Fellow Of the Col
lege OF Surgeons. and his report was as
favorable as the others had been adj
verse.
He has the heart and chest Of man
OF forty" said he. II can recommend
his life as one of the best of his age
that have ever examined"
That's WE'LL" said Mr. McAdam.
making note Of the doctors remarks.
while the Admiral disbursed a second
guinea. Your price. understand. II
five thousand pounds. I can communi-
cate with Mr.. Elberry. my client, and
let you know whether he cares to touch
the matter. Meanwhile you can leave
your pension papers here. and, >ei-el-i
give you receipt for themH
Very well. should like the money
soon"
THAT is why I am retaining the
papers. II l can see Mr., Elberry to-
day we may let you have cheque to-
morrow. Try another pinch. No?
Well. goodbye. ] am very happy to
have been of service" Mr.. 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. am sure am
very much obliged to you," said the
Admiral. "You have stood by me
when l was the better for little help.
for I'm clean out OF my soundings
among these city sharks. But I've
something to do now which Is more In
my own line. and I need not trouble
you any more"
"Oh. II is no trouble. have nothing
to do. / never have anything to do.
don't suppose l could do 1t II had.
I should be delighted to come with you.
sir. II / can be Of any use"
mo. no. my lad. You go home again.
1t would be kind of you, though, II
you would look In at number one when
you get back and tell my wife that alrs
well with me. and that I'll be back In
an hour or so.''
"All right. sir. I'll tell her" West
macott raised his hat and strobe away
to the westward. while the Admiral.
after hurried lunch. bent his steps
towards the east.
1t was n long walk. but the old sea-
nan swung along at n rousIng pace.
leaving street after street behind him.
The great business places dwindled
down into commonplace shops and
dwellings. which decreased and became
more stunted. even as the folk who hlled
them did. until he was deep In the evil
places OF the eastern end. II was
land OF huge. dark houses and OF gar
ish gin-shops. a land. too. where life
moves irregularly and where adven-
lures are to be gained-as the Admiral
was to learn to his cost.
He was hurrying down one Of the
long. narrow. stone-nagged lanes be-
! tween the double lines OF crouching,
disheveled women and OF dirty children
who sat on the followed steps OF the
houses, and basked In the autumn sun.
/ At one sid" was barrowman with .
load OF walnuts. and beside the barrow
bedraggled woman with black
fringe and chequered shawl thrown
over her head. She was cracking wal
nuts and picking them out of the shells.
throwing out remark occasionally to
rough man In rabbit-skln cap. with
straps under the knees OF his corduroy
trousers. who stood putting black clay
pipe with his back against the wall.
What the cause OF the quarrel was. or
what sharp sarcasm from the woman's
lips pricked suddenly through that thick
skin may never be known. but suddenly
F, the man took his pipe in his left hand.
leaned forward. and deliberately struck
her across the face with his right. II
was a slap rather than blow. hut the
woman gave a sharp cry and covered
up against the barrow with her hand
| TO her cheek.
You Internal viilain!' cried the Adj
miral. raising his stick. you brute and
blackguard!"
"Garnr growied the rough. with the
deep. rasplng information OF n savage.
earn out o. this or III" He took 4
step forward with upiifted hand. but In
an instant down came cut number three
upon his wrist. and cut number Ave
! across his thigh. and cut number one
| full In the center OF his rabbit-skin cap.
II was not a heavy stick. but II was
strong enough to leave n good red veal
wherever It fell. The rough yelled with
pain. and rushed In. hitting with both
hands. and kicking with his iron-shod
boots. but the Admiral had still a quick
foot and true eye. so that he bounded
backwards and sideways. still raining a
shower OF blows upon his savage an
tagonist. Suddenly. however. n pair OF
arms closed around his neck. and glanc-
Ing backwards he caught n glimpse OF
the black coarse fringe OF the woman
whom he had bcfriended. i've got
him. she shrieked. I'm old I'm. Now.
| Bill, knock the tripc out OF himr' Her
grip was M strong as mans. and her
wrist pressed like an Iron bar upon the
Admirals throat. He made n dcspcr-
ate effort to dlsengagc himself. but the
most that he could do was to swing her
round. no ms to place her between his
adversary and himself. AZ II proved. II
was the very best thing that he could
have done. The rough. half-bis,
and mnddcned by the blows =
had received. struck out with all hired ~
calmly strength. Just nv his partners
head swung around In front Of him.
There was noise like that OF a stone
hitting n wall. n deep gronn. her grasp
| relaxed. and she dropped dead weigat
upon the pavement, while the Admiral
| sprnng back and raised his stick once
more. ready either for attack or de-
Tense. Neither were needed. however.
for at that moment there was scatter
Ink OF the crowd. and two police con.