The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-09-02
CONAN DOMH

- 'oN t"' lIhitiN w ~.
Paufs landing-a mode Of travel which
was much more to the Admiral's taste
than bus or cab. On the way he told
his companion his mission and the
causes which led to 1t. Charles West
macott knew little enough of city life
and the ways of business, but at least
he had more experience in both than
the Admi II. and he made up his mind
not to leave him until the matter was
settled.
These are the people," said the Ad-
miral. twisting round his paper. and
pointing to the advertisement which had
seemed to him the most promising. 1T
sounds honest and above board. does II
not? The personal interview looks as
II there were no trickery, and then no
one could object to five per cent"
mo. 1t seems fair enough"
1T is not pleasant to have to go hat
In hand borrowing money. but there
are times, as you may find before you
are my age, Westmacott. when a man
must stow away his pride. But here's
their number. and their plate Is on the
corner of the door"
A narrow entrance was fanked on
either side by a row of brasses, ranging
upwards from the shipbrokers and the
solicitors who occupied the ground
floors, through a long succession of
West Indian agents, architects, survey
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
g~round-glass roofing, the names Of
Smith & Hamburg were to be seen
painted in large white letters across a
panel. with a laconic invitation to push
beneath ii. Following out the sugges-
ton. the Admiral and his companion
found themselves in a dingy apartment,
i'll lit from a couple OF glazed windows.
An ink-staincd table, Uttered with pens,
papers and almanacs, an American
cloth sofa. three chairs of varying pat
terms. and a much-worn carpet. COR
stituted all the furniture. save only a
very large and obtrusive porcelain spit
toon. n a gaudily framed and very
somber picture which hung above the
fireplace. Sitting in front Of this pic
ture, and staring gloomily at it. 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
Stouics HiuiSItu studtciy I all dppic.
rs 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,"
All, that is the name OF the firm, you
see. It's only a 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 I uppos we had better call
again. said the Admiral.
Not a Bit" cried Charles. II 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. II you o bring him here in
five minutes I'll clump you on the side
OF the head when you get back. Shoo.
Scat!' 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 not meant for ffteen-stone men.
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. we'll, 1 have heard that the
best furnished offices generally belong
to the poorest firms. Let's hope IL la
the opposite here. They can't spend
much on the management anyhow.
That pumpkin-headed boy was the staff.
/ 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 witt a small. brown, dried
up little chip Of a man at his heels. He
was clean a 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 ad-
yanced. 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.
Il am Mr.. Reuben Mctaxa," said the
moneylender. WAS Ii about an ad-
vance you wished TO see me-"
YES"
For YOU. / presume?" turning 10
Charles Westmacott.
mo, for this gentleman"
The moneylender looked surprised.
How much did you deslre?"
Il thought OF five thousand pounds"
said the Admiral.
And on what security"
II am a retired admiral of the Brit