Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-08-14
CHAPTER XIH.-CoNrINUrD).


Of course. Shall we say two years?
should think that you have full two
years before you"
'In two years your pension would
bring you In fl 800 Now I will do my
very best for you, Admiral! I will ad-
vance you e., 900 and you can make over
to me your pension for your life. 1t
II pure speculation on my part. If you
die tomorrow I lose my money. If
the doctors prophecy is correct 1 shall
still be out of pocket. If you live lit
tie longer then 1 may see my money
again. 1t is the very best 1 can do for
you"
Then you wish to buy my pension?"
yes. for two thousand down."
And If 1 live for twenty years?"
"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
stantIy?"
you should have a thousand at once.
The other thousand 1 should expect you
to take in furniture
I'm furniture?"
Eyes, Admiral We shall do you
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, it was so much that he surren-
dered, and so little that he RECEIVED.
Little, and yet something. Would it
not be better than going back empty
handed? He saw the yellow backed
cheque-book upon the table. The
moneyiender opened it and dipped his
pen into the ink.
"Shall I fill it up?" said he.
ct think, Admiral" remarked West
macott. "that we had better have lit
tie walk and some luncheon before we
settle this matter"
ooh. we may as we'll do it at once. 1t
would be absurd to postpone it 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. well have 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 I prefer not" said the Ad-
niral shortly.
VERY well. But remember that my
offer is only for to-day. 1t is off unless
you take 1t at once"
Let it be off, them
There's my fee." cried the doctor. !
"How much?"
"A guinea"
The Admiral threw a round and I
shilling upon the table. Come, West
macott," 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 very
sharp chap, but this is a trif1e too thin.
What did he want to go out and speak
70 the doctor for? And how very con-
venfent this tale of a weak heart wasl
1 believe they are couple of rogues,
and in league with each other"
"A shark and a pilot fish, said the (
Aansiral
I'll tell you what I propose, sir.
There's a lawyer named McAdam who
Toes my aunts business. He Is very
honest fellow, and lives at the other side
of Poultry. Well go over to him to-
xether and have his opinion about the
whole matter"
How far is 1t to his placer"
"Oh. a mile at least. We can have
cab"
"A miller Then we shall see if there is
any truth In what thai swab of doc
Tor said Come, my boy. and clap on all
Ill. and see who can stay the longest"
Then the sober denizens of the heart
Of business London saw singular
light As they returned from their lunch
cons. Down the roadway, lodging
among cabs and carts. ran weather
rtained elderly man. with wide tapping
black hat, and homely suit of tweeds.
With elbows braced back, hands
cIenched near his armpits, and chest
protruded, he scudded along, while
Nose at his heels numbered a large
ambed, heavy, yellow mustached young
man, who seemed to feel the exercise a
rood deal more than his senior. On they
dashed, helter-skelter, until they pulled
I'D painting at the Office where the law
rer Of the Westmacotts was to be found.
There noww cried the Admiral IN
What dye think OF thatf
Nothing wrong In the enGine-roon. chr
you seem fit enough. sir.