Chapter 14

EASTWARD HO!

Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a
highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished
table in the neatest and snuggest of offices. He was
white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline
face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed
to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending
into one, or just recovering himself. He wore a
high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his
conversation with little scraps from the classics.

"My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their
story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of
mine. Try a pinch. I wonder that you should have gone
to this man Metaxa. His advertisement is enough to
condemn him. Habet foenum in cornu. They are all
rogues."

"The doctor was a rogue too. I didn't like the look
of him at the time."

"Arcades ambo. But now we must see what we can do
for you. Of course what Metaxa said was perfectly right.
The pension is in itself no security at all, unless it
were accompanied by a life assurance which would be
an income in itself. It is no good whatever."

His clients' faces fell.

"But there is the second alternative. You might sell
the pension right out. Speculative investors
occasionally deal in such things. I have one client, a
sporting man, who would be very likely to take it up if
we could agree upon terms. Of course, I must follow
Metaxa's example by sending for a doctor."

For the second time was the Admiral punched and
tapped and listened to. This time, however, there could
be no question of the qualifications of the doctor, a
well-known Fellow of the College of Surgeons, and his
report was as favorable as the other's had been adverse.

"He has the heart and chest of a man of forty," said
he. "I can recommend his life as one of the best of his
age that I have ever examined."

"That's well," said Mr. McAdam, making a note of the
doctor's remarks, while the Admiral disbursed a second
guinea. "Your price, I understand, is five thousand
pounds. I can communicate with Mr. Elberry, my client,
and let you know whether he cares to touch the matter.
Meanwhile you can leave your pension papers here, and I
will give you a receipt for them."

"Very well. I should like the money soon."

"That is why I am retaining the papers. If I
can see Mr. Elberry to-day we may let you have a cheque
to-morrow. Try another pinch. No? Well, good-bye. I
am very happy to have been of service." Mr. McAdam bowed
them out, for he was a very busy man, and they found
themselves in the street once more with lighter hearts
than when they bad left it.

"Well, Westmacott, I am sure I am very