Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-11-07
9IY. 4. CONAN, DoXLA


doors until, at last, just under the
ground-glass roofing, the names of
Smith & Hamburg were to be seen
painted In large white letters across a
panel, with laconic invitation to push
beneath 1t. Following out the sugges-
ton, the Admiral and his companion
found themselves in dingy apartment,
Ill lit from a couple Of glazed windows.
An ink-stained table, Uttered with pens,
papers, and almanacs, an American
cloth sofa, three chairs Of varying pat
terms, and q much-worn carpet, con-
stituted all the furniture, save only a
very large and obtrusive porcelain spit
toon, and a gaudily framed and very
somber picture which hung above the
fireplace. Sitting in front Of this pic
ture, and staring gloomily at 1t, as being
the only thing he could stare at, was a
small sallow-faced boy with a large
head, who in the intervals Of his art
studies munched sedately at an apple.
us Mr.. Smith or Mr.. Hamburg in?"
asked the Admiral.
There amt no such people," said
the small boy.
But you have the names on the
door,"
'Ah, that is the name Of the firm, you
see. It's only name. It's Mr.. Reuben
Metaxa that you wants."
"Well, then, is he in?"
mo, he's not"
when will he be back?"
Cant tell, I'm sure. He's gone to
lunch. Sometimes he takes one hour,
and sometimes two. It'll be two today,
'spect, for he said he was hungry
afore he went"
"Then suppose we had better call
again." said the Admiral.
mot Bit" cried Charles IT know
how to manage these little imps. See
here, you young varmint, here's a shil-
ling for you. Run off and fetch your
master. If you don't bring him here in
five minutes I'll clump you on the side
Of the head when you get back. Shoe!
ScatP He charged at the youth, who
bolted from the room and clattered
madly downstairs.
He'll fetch him." said Charles. 'Let
us make ourselves at home. This sofa
does not feel over and above safe. 1t
was AuL A1Gdnb LUZ AlllGGLl-SlOuG IueI.
But this doesn't look quite the sort of
place where one would expect to pick up
money"
Just what I was thinking" said the
Admiral, looking ruefully about him.
"Ah, well! I have heard that the
best furnished offices generally belong
to the poorest firms. Let's hope 1t Is
the opposite here. They can't spend
much on the management anyhow.
That pumpkln-headed boy was the staff,
I suppose. Ha, by Jove, that's his
voice, and he's got our man, I think"
AS he spoke the youth appeared in
the doorway with a small, brown, dried
up little chip of a man at his heels He
was clean shaven and blue-chinned,
with bristllng black hair, and keen
brown eyes which shone out very
brightly from between pouched under
lids and dropping upper ones. He adj
vanced, glancing keenly from one to
the other Of his visitors, and slowly
rubbing together his thin, blue-veined
hands. The small boy closed the door
behind him, and directly vanished.
II am Mr.. Reuben Metaxa," said the
moneylender. was 1t about an 'ad-
vance you wished to see me?"
YES"
For you, presume?" turning to
Charles Westmacott.
mo, for this gentleman"
The moneylender looked surprised.
How much did you desire?"
II thought Of five thousand pounds"
said the Admiral.
"And on what security?"
II am a retired admiral Of the Brit
lsh navy. You will find my name in the
Navy List. There is my card. have
here my pension papers. I get 1850 a
year. I thought that perhaps If you
were to hold these papers 1t would be
security enough that should pay you.
You could draw my pension, and repay
yourselves at the rate, say, of $500 a
year, taking your five per cent interest
as we'll"
what INTEREST,""
Five per cent per annum."
Mr.Metaxa laughed. per annum"
he said. Five per cent a month"
"a month! That would be sixty per
cent a year."
Precisely"
But that is monstrous."
II don't ask gentlemen to come to me.
They come Of their own free will. Those
are my terms, and they can take 1t or
leave It,"
''Then I shall leave It." The Ad-
miral rose angrily from his chair.
But one moment, sir. Just sit down
and we shall chat the matter over
Yours is rather unusual case and we
may find some other way Of doing what
you wish. OF course the security which
you offer is no security at all, and no
sana man would advance five thousand
pennies on It."
mo security? Why not, sir?"
You might die tomorrow. You are
not young man. What age are your"
"Sixty-three."
Mr.. Metaxa turned over a long col
umn Of figures. Here is an actuary's |
table" said he. "At your time Of life |
khn angarau. - TFe. l..