The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-08-17
or 4. CONAN DOMR

The pair made their way 70 tle Nv 2
side, and so down the Thames TO 0t.
PauPs Ianding-a mode of travel Wh1cn
was much more to the AdmiraPs taste
than bus or cab. On the way ne lolu
his companion his mission ana the
causes which led to it. Charles west
macott knew little enough OF city HE
and the ways of business, but at least
he had more experience in both IMAM
the Admiral, and he made up his nina
not to leave him until the matter was
settled.
''These are the people," said the Ad-
miral, twisting round his paper, ana
pointing to the advertisement which had
seemed to him the most promising.
sounds honest and above board, does 1t
not? The personal interview looks as
if there were no trickery, and then no
one could object to five per cent"
''No, it seems fair enough"
''It 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 f1anked 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 we'll carpeted and rallied at hrst
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 & Hanbury were to be seen
painted in large white letters across
panel, with laconic invitation to push
beneath it. 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-stained table, Uttered with pens,
papers, and almanacs, an American
cloth sofa, three chairs of varying pat
terms, and a 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 it, as being
the only thing he could stare at, was a
small sallow-faced boy with large
head, who in the intervals of his art
studies munched sedately at an apple.
"Is Mr.. Smith or Mr.. Hanbury in 2"
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?' ):
"No, he's not 81! ~
when will he be back?"
"Can't tell, I'm sure. He's gone to
lunch. Sometimes he takes one hour,
and sometimes two. It'll be two today,
1 spect, for he said he was hungry
afore he went"
"Then I suppose we had better call
again." said the Admiral.
mot a bit,' cried Charles. 'I 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. Shoo!
Scat!' He charged at the youth, who
bolted from the room and clattered
madly downstairs.
Hell fetch him. said Charles. "Let
us make ourselves at home. This sofa
does not feel over and above safe. 1t
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 I was thinking said the
Admiral, looking ruefully about him.
"Ah, WE'LL I 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,
l suppose. Ha, by Jove, that's his
voice, and he's got our man, think!'
AS he spoke the youth appeared in
the doorway with small, brown, dried
up little chip of a 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 ad-
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.
Il am Mr.. Reuben Metaxa," said the
moneylender Was it about an adj
vance you wished to see me?''
YES
For you. I presume?" turning to
Charles Westmacott.
No, for this gentleman"
The moneylender looked surprised
How much did you desire?''
II thought of five thousand pounds ,,