The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-08-27
. "a. CONAN DoYZA


ors. and brokers, to the firm Of which
they were in quest. A winding stone
stair. well carpeted and rallied at first
but growing shabbier with every land
Ing. brought them past innumerable
doors until, at last, just under the
ground-glass roofing, the names Of
Smith d Hamburg were to be seen
painted in large white letters across
panel, with q laconic Invitation to push
beneath 1t. Following out the sugges-
ton, the Admiral and his companion
found themselves In dingy apartment,
III lit from q couple Of glazed windows.
An ink-stalned table, Uttered with pens:
papers. and almanacs, an American
cloth sofa. three chairs Of varying pat
terms. and much-worn carpet, con.
stttuted all the furniture, save only q
very large and obtrusive porcelain spit.
toon, and gaudily framed and very
somber picture which hung above the
fireplace. Sitting in front Of this pic
ture. and staring gloomily 1T it. as being
the only thing he could stare at, was q
small sallow-faced boy with a large
head. who In the intervals Of his. art
studies munched sedately 1t an apple.
10 Mr.. Smith or Mr.. Hanbury int"
asked the Admiral.
There amt no such people," said
the small boy.
But you have the names on the
door"
"Ah. that IL the name Of the firm. you
see. It's only name. It's Mr.. Reuben
Metaxa that you wants."
We'll. then. IL 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'l be two today,
'spect. for he said he was hungry
afore he went"
"Thsn suppose We had better call
again" said the Admiral.
Not bit" cried Charles. 'I know
how to manage these little imps. See
here. you young varmint, here's shil-
ling for you. Run OF and fetch your
master. II you don't bring him here in
shve minutes I'll clump you on the side
OF the head when you get back. Shoe!
scatF 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. It
was not meant for fifteen-stone men.
But this doesn't look quite the sort Of
place where one would expect to pick up
money"
Just what was thinking" said the
Admiral. looking ruefully about him.
"Ah. well! have heard that the
best furnished Offices generally belong
to the poorest firms. Let's hope It Is
the opposite here. They can't spend
much on the management anyhow.
That pumpkin-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 q small, brown, dried
up little chip Of man at his heels. He
was clean shaver and blue-chinned,
with bristling 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 any Mr.. Reuben Metaxa." said the
moneylender. ''Was It about an adj
vance you wished to see met"
"Yes.'
"For you. presume?" turning to
Charles Westmacott.
mo. for this gentleman"
The moneylender looked surprised.
How much did you desire7' &
II thought Of I'VE thousand pounds"
said the Admiral.
'.And on what security?"
II am retired admiral Of the Brit
ish navy. You will ind my name In the
Navy List There II my card. have
here my pension papers. I get ESQ
year. I thought that perhaps II you
were to hold these papers It would be
security enough that should pay you.
You could draw my pension, and repay
yourselves at the rate, say. Of f500
year. taking your Eve per cent interest
az wei"
what INTEREST,""
''Five per cent per annum."
Mr.Metaxa laughed. "Per annumw
he said. give per cent a month"
"A MONTH That would be sixty per
cent . year" ia
Precisely"
"But that IL monstrous."
II don't ask gentlemen to come to me.
They come Of their own free will. Those
are my terms. and they can takesit or
leave IT,
''Then shall leave IT, The ADJ
miral rose angrily from his chair.
But one moment sir. Just sit down
and we shall chat the matter over
Yours is q rather unusual case and we
may md some other way Of doing what
you wish. OF course the security which
you offer IL no security at all, and no
sane man would advance five thousand
pennies on It,"
mo security? Why not, sir?"
you might die tomorrow. You are
not.a: tonhg man. What age are you?"
"Sixty-thrce." Y,x-s.sl.s
I Mr.. Metaxa turned over long col
umn Of figures ''Eere is an actuary's
table" said he. "At your time OF l!:e
the average expectancy Of life u cnlv