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Show Ill I thought that perhaps If yoi year. were to hold these papers It would be security enough that I should pay you. You could draw my pension, and repay yourselves at the rate, say, of 500 a year, taking your five per cent interest is well." "AMA. CONAN DOYL& - v Mrvru i asa saw Ana i ri ness there. Smith A Hanbury, financial agents, Hread Street." The pair made their way to the riverside, and so down the Thames to St. Paul's 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 It. Charles tt knew little enough of city life and the ways of business, but at least he had more experience in both than the Admiral, and he made up his mind not to leave him until the matter was West-maco- r JNTERNATMNM 6 OCJATOA'. CHAPTER XIII. HEN Dr. Walker had departed, the Admiral packed all his possessions back Into his sea chest, with the exception of one little brass-boun- d Thin desk. and unlocked, took from It a dozen or so blue sheets of paper all mottled over with stamps "Thes are the people," said the Admiral, twisting round his paper, anil pointing to the advertisement wl lch had seemed to him the most promising. "It sounds honest and above board, does it 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 ase, 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 flanked on either side by a row of brasses, ranging upwards from the shlpbrokers and the solicitors who occupied the ground floors, through a long succession of West Indian agents, architects, surveyors, and brokers, to the firm of which they were In quest. A winding stone stair, well carpeted and railed at first but growing shabbier with every landing, brought them past Innumerable doors until, at last. Just under the ground-glas- s roofing, the names of Smith & Hanbury were to be Been painted In large white letters across a panel, with a laconic Invitation to push beneath It. Following out the suggestion, the Admiral and his companion found themselves In a dingy apartnont, 111 lit from a couple of glazed windows. An table, littered with pens, ot , arm-chai- r, shlV-llr.- g 1 exj-ense- s. . i i 1 blue-chinne- d, bn (- blu-velne- fnene-Jf-n'er- . 'l've 1 " " ? d . . The Mashing of a Masher. 1 well-preserv- Ink-stain- lr, The Full Measure of Sucoess. "Was your auto race successful?" "Successful? I should say it was!) rhere were two chauffeurs killed, and three owners mortally hurt, aad flv Innocent bystandors sent to the hospital, and one auto climbed a stonewall and, flung itself down a steep' cliff, and another auto threw off Its chauf-feur and Is now careering wildly across the country and terrorising the community, and Hoskin's new touring car crossed the VeTlalne at a single bound, and then jumped oa the roof of a gamekeeper's cottage, and well, It certainly was the most spirited and thoroughly enjoyable run w have ever had." well-preserv- V. R.'s He printed upon the heajis of them. tied these carefully Into a small bunS'.e, and placing them In the Inner pocket of his coat, he seized his stick and hat. "Oh, John, don't do this rash thing," cried Mrs. Dunver, laying her hands upon his sleeve. "I have seen so little of you. John. Only three years Blnce jou 'e7l the service. Don't leave me again. I know It Is weak of ine, but I cannot bear It." "There's my own brave lass." said hair. he, smoothing down the grey-sh"We've lived In honor together, mother, and. please God . b.onor we'll die. No matter how debts are made, they have got to be met, and what the boy owes we owe. He has not the money, and how la he to find It? He can t find it. What then? It becomes my business, and there's only one way for It." "liut it may not be so very bad, John. Had we not best wait until after he sees these people tomorrow?" "They may give him Jlttle time, lass. But I'll have a care that I don't go so papers, and almanacs, an American chairs of varying patfar that I can't put back again. Now. cloth sofa, three carpet, conmother, there's bo use holding me. It's terns, and a much-wor- n got to be done, and there's no sense in stituted all the furniture, save only a obtrusive porcelain spitshirking It." He detached her fingers very large and from his sleeve, pushed her gently back toon, and a gaudily framed and very and hurried from the somber picture which hung above the Into an fireplace. Fitting In front of this picJiouse. In less than half an hour the Admiral ture, and staring gloomily at it, as being va whirled Into Victoria Station and the only thins he could stare at,a was a boy with large found himself amid a dense bustling small sallow-face- d head, who In the Intervals cf his art throng, who Jostled and pushed In the studies munched sedately at an apple. crowded terminus. His errand, which Mr. "Is Smith or Mr. Hanbury In?" own In his seemed feasible haJ enough room. lcgan now to present difficulties asked the Admiral. "There ain't no such people," said In the carrying out. and he puzzled over how he should take the first steps. the small boy. "Hut you have the names on the Amid the stream of business men. each door." old on the his definite way. hurrying "Ah. that is the name of the firm, you seaman In his grey tweed suit and black soft hat strode slowly along, his head see. It's only a name. It's Mr. Ileuben sunk and his brow wrinkled In per- Metaxa that you wants." "Well. then. Is he In?" plexity. Suddenly an Idea occurred to "N he's not." He walked back to the railway him. "When will he be back?" stall and bought a dally paper. This "Can't tell. I'm sure. He's gone to he turned and turned until a certain column met his eye, when he smoothed lunch. Sometimes he takes one hour, It out. and carrying It over to a seat, and sometimes two. It'll be two today, I "sped, for he said he was hungry proceeded to read it at his leisure. fore he went." And. Indeed, as a man read that "Then I suppose we had better call column. It seemed rtrange to him that said the Admiral. In one this should again," still remain there any "Not a bit." cried Charles. "I know world of ours who should be In straits how to roanatre theme little Imps. See for want of money. Hero were who lines t.f gentlemen who were burdened here, you young varmint, here's a for you. Hun off an ftch your with a surplus In their Incomes, and who were loudly calling to the poor and master. If you don't bring him here In needy to come and take It off their five minutes I'll clump you on the side hands. Here was the guileless person of the h ad when you get back. Shoo! Scat!" He charged at the youth, who who was not a profusions! moneylendbolted from the t room and clattered er, but who would be glad to correwas the accommo- madly down-stairspond, f tc. Here, fetch him." sail Charles. "Let dating Individual who advanced turns us"H'll make ourselves at home. This sof.t from ten to ten thousand rounds without security or delay. "The doe3 not fc-- over and above safe. It men. money actually paid over within a few was not meant for flftern-ston- i Hut this d sn't b,k unite 'he sort of hours." ran this fascinating advertisement, conjuring up a vision of swift place where one would expect to pick up messengers rushing with bags of gold money. A "Just what I was thinking," said th to the aid of the poor struggler. third gentleman did all business by per- Admiral, looking ruefully about him. I have heard tlv th "Ah. well! sonal application, advanced money on ! anything or nothing; the lightest and best furnished offices frpnerally airiest promise was enough to content to the poorest firms. IWs hope it is him according to his circular, and finally the opposite hrp. They can't spend he never asked for more than five per much on the management anyhow. cent. This struck the Admiral aa far That pumpkin-heade- d boy was the siaff, Ha, by Jove, that's his the most promising, and his wrinkles I suppose. relaxed, and his frown softened away Voice, and he's got our msn, I think!" as he gasd at It. He folded up the As he spoke the youth apisred In the doorway with a small, brown, drled-u- p paper, rose from the seat, an found himself face to face with Charles little chip of a man at his heels. He was clean shaven and Westmacoit. with bristling black hair, and keen "Hullo, Admiral!" Charles had brown eyes which shone out very "Hull , Wes'.rr.acott!" always len a favorite of the seaman's. brightly from between pouched undr-lid- s and drooping upper ones. He adWhat are you doing here?" doing a little busi"Oh, I have vanced, glancing keenly from one ness for my aunt. Isut I have never the other of his visitors, and slowly seen you in Ixmdon before." rubbing together his thin, "I hate the placp. It smothers m. hands. The small boy closed the door There's not a brath of clean sir on this behind him, and directly vanished. P.ut may be vou "I am Mr. Ileutren Metaxa." said the ide of Greenwich. "Was It about an "adVnow your way about pretty well I, the to see me?" vance wished you city?" "Yes." "Well. I know something about It. never lived Very far from It, "For you. I presume?' turning to You and I do a good deal of my aunt's busi- Charles Westmacott ness. "No, for this gentleman." Bread Street? The mfr?j lender kd surr-rl1"Maybe you know Chesr-sM.of did "How desire?" out much Is you "It do you steer for It "I thought ft five thousand pounds," jVell then,Tonhowmake me out a cours-- X ssld the Admiral. from here? "And on whst security?" nn l 1 11 k"P " have nothing to do. V "I am a retired admiral of the r,r!'-I- h "Why. Admiral. I with I "II take you there pleasure." nary. Ton will find my rsme in the -We:l. I'd take U Navy L,',t. Thrre Is my card. I lar will ou rr Vin llv If Vu would. I have bul- - I nere my per.!-- n papers. I get IiJ a and seals, with very large 1 ." settled. lie "What Interest?" "Five per cent per annum." Mr.Metaxa laughed. "Per annum!" he said. "Five per cent a month." "A month! That would be sixty per ' ;ent a year." "Precisely." A Golfer's Paradise. "But that Is monstrous." me. to to come I aak but little when I'm dead "I don't ask gentlemen As recompense for woes, They come of their own fre will. Those No golden crown uponearthly my head. are my terms, and they cun take It or No harp to weary hands and toea; No halo would I wear, Indeed. leave it." No purple robe my means "Then I shall leave It." The AdI only auk a well beyond rolled mead. miral rose angrily from hla chair. With eighteen holes and putting greens. "But one moment, sir. Just sit down 'A eye. over. caddy with a lynx-lik- e ind we shall chat the matter And wlnga upon Ills shoulder tips, Yours Is a rather unusual case and we Shall watch me whack the balls, then fly To follow on their airy trips; may find some other way of doing what And I come on gentle wing when you wish. Of course the security which He'll hand me then, the watchful soul, you offer Is no security at all, and no A putter tit for prince or king five thousand advance would man to That's make the goal. tane guaranteed pennies on it." The tees shall be the sort from which "No security? Why not. sir?" One drives aoo yards at least. "You might die tomorrow. You are While over hurdle, bunker, ditch The balls shall rlne us though of yeast. not a young man. What age are you?" inn nibiicK, musniu, ami trie ciecK "Sixty-threeShall never miss or make a slip. While only those who Scottish spcuk Mr. Metaxa turned over a long colShall have a card of membership. "Here Is an actuary's umn of figures, table," said he. "At your time of life Here on this field of perfect slrekes I'll play a winning Kunie with all the average expectancy of life Is only Who beat me when on earth, the folks a few years even In a Who say I cannot hit the ball; man." And, best of all, the game between "Do you mean to Insinuate that I am When o'er my nectar I am heard ween. to recount, man?" My triumphs not a There'll not be one to doubt my word, "Well. Admiral. It is a trying life at Wallace William Whltelock, in Life. sea. Sailors In their younger days are gay dogs, and take it out of themselves. Memento of Cromwell. Then when they grow older they are still hard at it. and have no chance of Recently at a sale of old and his rest or peace. I do not think a sailor's toric silver a rare relic of Oliver life a good one." Cromwell was brought to light. This "I'll tell you what, sir," said the Admiral hotly. "If you have two pairs of gloves I'll undertake to knock you out under three rounds. Or I'll race you from here to St. Paul's, and my friend here will see fair. I'll let you see whether I'm an old man or not." "This Is beside the question." said the with a deprecatory shrug. money-lend"The point Is that if you died where would be the security then?" "I could insure my life, and make the policy over to you." "Your nremlums for such a sum, if any office would have you, which I very much doubt, would come to cloae on five hundred a year. That would hardly suit your book. Is the Lord Protector's silver mounted "Well, sir. what do you intend to pro- "black jack," which Is said to have pose?" asked the Admiral. him during his many "I might, to accommodate you, work been carried by It In another way. I should send wars. Cromwell's name and quality ior.a medical man. and have an opinion are engraved upon a silver plate "Ollvarlus, Del Gra.. Relp. Angllae upon i ir life,' Then T Aright see what ' could be done." ScoUafr t JJMberniae." . gr m. "That is quite fair. I have no objecA "black Jack," be It tion to that." cup, formerly ma'de "There Is a very clever doctor In the capacious drinking as In this Instance. of waxed leather, name. la his John, street here. Proudle from thin go and fetch Doctor Proudle." The but now manufactured his outside metal the toned was errand, upon being japanned dljpa youth sat at his desk, trim- black, except the edge, which is left while Mr. Metaxa ming ids nails.- And .;.. tir.g out little bright, in imitation of the ancient comments upon the weather. Presently leathern "black Jacks" with sliver feet were heard upon the stairs, the rims. moneylender hurried out, there waa a is smallsound of whispering, and he returned er Cromwell's drinking vessel of the than the g ordinary receptacle man. a with large, fat. has It frock-cout. a kind and and, although necessarily clad In a much worn suffered from time and wear. It Is very dilapidated top hat. well "Doctor Proudle. gentlemen." said Mr. remarkably preserved. New Metaxa. York Herald. The doctor bowed, smiled, whipped oft his hat. and produced his stethoscope McCullough's Last from its Interior with the air of a conof these "Which The last the stage. complimentary ticket that upon jurer gentlemen am I to examiner heof asked, the late John McCullough signed Is them. one of the valued keepsakes of Mrs. blinking from one to the other waistcoat! your is Only it you! "Ah, James Macey, 8S3 Hancock avenue, You need n t undo your collar. Thank Chicago. . It was given to her by Mr. Ninety-nine! you! A full breath! Thank you! Thank you! Now hold your breath for a moment. Oh, dear, dear, what Is this I hear?" "What Is It then?" asked the Admiral - er . -- ' kuo.ts greasy-lookin- 1. i i Reggy Railroad accident? Freddy Yes. Tried to kiss a girt going through a tunnel. Rash Act. "Confound that cook!" growled the cannibal king. "Here dinner' Is two hours late and still not a sound from the kitchen. I'll discharge her for this. Chamberlain, go to the kitchen and tell that cook to get a move on ' her." 'Tardon me, your majesty," said the chamberlain, kowtowing properly; "but has your majesty's august memory failed to apprise him of the fact that he ate the cook this4 morning?" Judge. ThePfOVller Kicks. Of all the erroneous growled Markley, as he looked over the monthly statement from Dargen & Co. 's, "the worst of all Is "Time is Money.' " "Why bo?" inquired his wife. "Well, you. for Instancf, save 'tim by not asking tho prices of things when you go shopping, but you don't - save money." The Woman and Her Age, She I heard you complimenting her upon her girlish appearance. What did she say? He She said: "Ah! but I'm sure I shall look very much older when I'm 40." She Huh! She means she'll look very much older when she admits she is 40. Gave Herself Away. if coolly. "Tut! tut! This Is a great pity. Have you had rheumatic fever?" "Never." "You have had some serious Illness?" "Never." "Ah. you are an admiral. You have been abroad, tr pics, malaria, ague I know." "I have never had a day's Illness." "Not to your know ledge; but you have left Inhaled unhealthy air, and It has mur-mur Its effect. You have an organic el!bt but distinct." "Is It dangerous?" "It might st any time become so. You should not take violent exercise." "Oh. Indeed. It would hurt me to run a half mile?" "It would be very dangerous." "And a mile?" "Would be almost certainly fatal." "Then there Is nothing else the matter?" "No. Put If the heart is weak, then everything Is weak, and the life Is nut a sound one," "You se. Admiral." remarked Mr Metaxa, as the doctor secreted Ms sfeth- once more In his hat, "my re marks were not entirely uncalled for, I am sorry that the doctor's opinion Is not more favorable, but this is a matter of business, and certain obvious pre cautions must be tskrn." "Of coins?. Then the matter Is at an end." "Well, we might even now do busl npjx. i am m"i anxious to ne oi ue i you.. How long do you think, doctor, that this gentleman will In all proba bility live?' "Well, well, li's rather a delicate queg tion to answer." said Mr. Proudle, with of embarrassment. pho-"Not a bit. str. Out with It! I hsvs faced death too ften to flinch from It now. though I saw It ss near me as you are." i TO SS rrSTfV'f T. I is that ' Po k '1 fe KfiTueft an-- Complete Letter Vrl'er? Mrs. II Whit do you want sri'.n Mr. If. I went to write to th grss and t:i hlra I can't puy hin. r,su-or- " v - McCullough 2:, 1&84. in the afternoon of Sept. In the evening of the same 3 " m ' day he was carriod from the stage, a raving madman. It wa probably tha last time the noted actor fever wrote his name. Bear aa a Watchdog. large black bear Is used In Hen of a watchdog by Gottlieb Weest of Leinorvllle. Prnn., The animal is owned by Frank Oreen, who captured it while on a gunning expedition In one of thff western states. At flight Mrs. Newricbe Oh! dear tne. I bruin la chained in tha yart. At th think a and he of growls slang Is so wretchedly vulgar. stranger approach Jack Ahthere I don't agree with tugs at his chain. During th" day the ou. I think it is very expressive. bear amuses passrrs-bdoing turns, Mrs. Nevrkhe Thst may be, but and soldier as dancing walking suh it doesn't cut any Ice with me. v.ith a broomstick. A y fas-hio- The Whole Thing. Postoffices of the World. 'Then l;een to Niagara?" you've The United States possess the "Yes. 1 mas quietly, married o over number poslofTices, greatest with 45.623 Tuesday week, and the tieit day w 7S.f")0. Germany follow Soon aa we got Niagara. and Great Britain' with 22.400, Rus- icacbed. 1 started out to see the Falls sia has only 8.200 postoffices for a there with my lfe." population of over 1 fu,ooi"t,000. Ger"Magnificent, eh?" more boxes than any pillar many has "Ton bet. You should have seen a! 12.1.008, and country, Germany the other men i(ber turning around to k cornea also first mith the number of as at her FhiladelcVi" she passed. persons employed In her postoffices, Tress. lst 233.176. Valuable. Eskimo Bible. Tve mailing yru quite a lot The: Eskimos now have their own tlmsp" translation of the UIhh, which ba rfaidtnyth writings from time to "but it author, struggling tl to The taken l.o years complete. I pastor, Hans ileede, ho went seeiBS never send you anything that's to Greenland in 1721. beean the work, aceptaM." "Oh! yes, ynu do." replied th nhi'h is completed ard published by "the stamps are always accr t the Bible Society of Denmark. 1 bn Nor-wecta- ei-to- able." r. sV I |