The state herald., 1895-09-27
CHAPTER XIH.-CoNrINunp).

CHAPTER XIn.-CoNrlNuED).
well. well, we must go by averages
of course. Shall we say two years? I
should think that you have a full two
years before you"
I'm two years your pension would
bring you In fl,6O0. Now Will do my
very best for you. Admiral! will ad-
vance you $4,000 and you can make over
to me your pension for your life. 1t
is pure speculation on my part. II you
die tomorrow I lose my money II
the doctors prophecy is correct shall
still be out of pocket. II you live 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 two thousand down."
And II live for twenty years?r
'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?"
You should have a thousand at once.
The other thousand should expect you
to take In furniture
I'm furniture?"
ics, we SnulI you u
beautiful houseful at that sum. 1t 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, 1t was SO much that he surren-
dered. and so little that he received.
Little. and yet something. Would 1t
not be better than going back empty
handed? He saw the yellow backed
cheque-book upon the table. The
moneylender opened II and dipped his
pen into the ink.
shall / MI 1t up?" said he.
Il think. Admiral" remarked West
macott. that we had better have a lit
tie walk and some luncheon before we
settle this matter"
'Oh. We may as well do 1t at once. 1t
would be absurd to postpone 1t now"
Metaxa spoke with some heat. and his
eyes glinted angrily from between his
narrow lids at the imperturbable
Charles. The Admiral was simple In
money matters. but he had seen much
of men and had learned to read them.
He saw that venomous glance. and saw
too that intense eagerness was peeping
out from beneath the careless AIR which
the agent had assumed.
You're quite right. wesmacott." said
he. "we'll have a little walk before We
settle IT."
But / may not be here this after
noon"
Then we must choose another day"
But why not settle It now?"
Because l prefer not" said the Ad-
mIral shortly.
VERY well. But remember that my
offer is only for to-day. II is on unless
you take 1t at once
Let 1t be or. them
There's my fee." cried tho doctor
How muchT"
"a guinea"
The Admiral threw pound and
shilling upon the table. Come. West
mncott." said he. and they walked to-
gether from the room.
II don't like It," said Charles. when
they found themselves In the street once
more: II don't profess to be a very
sharp chap. but this Is n trine too thin.
What did he want 10 go out and speak
to the doctor for?. And how very con-
venient this tale OF n weak heart was!
! believe they are a couple of rogues.
and in league with each other
"a shark and a pilot ASH" said the
Admiral
I'm tell you what propose. sir.
There's lawyer named McAdam who
does my aunt'r business. He Is very
honest fellow. and lives at the other side
OF Poultry. Wen go over to him to-
gether and have his opinion about the
whole matter"
How far Ii II to his placer"
"Oh. a mile at least. We can have n
cab"
"a mile? Then we shall see II there II
any truth In what that swab OF a doc
tor said. Come. my boy. and clap on all
sail, and see who can stay the longest"
Then the sober denizens OF the heart
OF business London saw singular
sight as they returned from their lunch
cons. Down the roadway. lodging
among cabs and carts, ran n weather
stained elderly man. with wide Tapping
black hat. and homely suit OF tweeds.
with elbows braced back. hands
clenched near his armplts. and chest
protruded. he scuddcd along. while
close Mt his heels numbered large
iimbcd. heavy. yellow mustached young
man. who seemed to feel the exercise a
good deal more than his senior. On they
dashed. heiter-skeiter. until they pulled
up painting at the office where the law
yer OF the westmacotts was TO be found.
There nowr' cried the Admiral In
triumph. what dye think OF that3
Nothing wrong In the cnglne-room. Ell ?"
you seem flt enough. SIR"
blessed II ] believe thc swab was n
certlfcated doctor at all. He was flying
false colors, or I am mistaken"
They keep the directories and regis
tcrs In this eating house." said wcstma-
colt. wen 20 and look him out
They did 80. but the medical rolls con-
tained no such name ns that OF DIR.
Proudle. OF Bread street.
Pretty viiiiany this" cried the Ad-
mlrnl. humping his chest. "a dummy
doctor and vamped up disease. Well.
we've tried the rogucs. Westmncott' Let
US see what we can do with your honest
man"