Miracle Gold (Vol. 1 of 3)

d Street he looked up and down it anxiously. He saw no appearance of anything unusual,

him a few minutes ago. He stood at the corner, and drew himself up to his full

altered; a flashing and flitting light seemed to come, not from his eyes only, but from all his face. The eyes were large and restless, or perhaps it would be more correct to say unresting, and when animated they flamed and burned with passion and earnestness. His figure was thi

around the mouth of Welbeck Place, discussing the event of that afternoon. Hanbury looked aro

ase, where I should be likely to see a low-sized gentleman who carries a heavy stick? I think he belongs to this

le Mr. Leigh?"

a small man, and there is so

t," said the man. "That

on. He was in sore want of sixpence, and was wondering how he could come by the money. On principle he had no objection t

e I should be lik

ere, as you can see if you look." The speaker had observed Leigh go into the Hanover five minutes before, and knew he was even now in the private

ng through his fingers, and hastened to add, "I'm hout of work, I ham, gov'nor, an' I'd be gla

is I'll give you half-a-crown," said Hanbu

some one not half so deserving as he. "I'm not sure, sir, where 'e is, but if you come with me I'll show you where I think 'e is." He led the way to the door of the Hanover, and pointing to the entrance marked "Private" said: "If you try in there, and if you don't find 'im I'll go round wi

was there alone. This apartment had few visitors until evening, and all the idle people had been drawn off in t

you are again quite well? Eh?" His words and accent were polite--too polite the young man thought. There was a scornful glitter in the hunchback's eyes. A huge v

pose to see you." He drew a high stool towards him an

with all the outward seeming of sincerity, but wit

gestures of his arms. "My going off so

in the same way. I was just trying to make up my mind which of the H

e back with the cab. But I was anxious to get away, and quite confused at the moment, and it was not until the lady with me reminded me of your kindness

ar smile that made the young man flush again. The implication he too

d not bring himself to utter her name i

if you are Mr

said he, looking ar

I had the honour of

me if you say nothing of that kind. I am most anxious to have a little conversation--private conversation with you--this is no place," again he cast his ey

overdone in the manner, but the overdoing was as conspicuous in the manner as in the words; but again allowance is always made for people of exceptional physical formation. Hanbury could not tell why he

ing: "I shall be delighted to go

d his guest in, saying: "I shall have to trouble you to climb two pair of stairs. The poor of eart

to his flat, and ushered his

n. One cannot guard too carefully against imposture. Pray take a chair. You were pleased t

ew his name. There had not yet been time for him to tell it

y for your great services to me a while ago. Believe me, I

ugh the cause in which I heard you speak in Bloomsbury is not very popular in the slums of Westminster. However, you may rest assured the public shall not be allowed to remain in ignorance of the distinc

is speech; he was startled by what he said at the end. "Mr. Leigh, you have done me a favour already, a great favour, a great service. They say one is always disposed to help one he has

of his trousers' pockets and looking out of the window. "Hah! I see! I understand. A woman i

om he was engaged, who was to be his wife, as "a woman in the case." Something disgraceful generally attaches to the phrase. Anyway, there was not

s As

thinking of adopting a public career. I could not, for a time at all events, appear on any platform of disputed principles if this unfortunate fainting o

ally. Leigh swiftly turned his face from the window and said: "It can't be done, Mr. Lei

he community if all public men agreed. Pol

soluteness. "You are a Tory, I am a Radical. Fate has delivered you

and very unpleasant. "I may have spoken on a Tory platfo

and never can be such a thing, excep

side I may take the publication of this affair would cast such ridicule upon

uty to send a paragraph to the papers. A paragraph of that kind always tells. Anything unk

f you will not, as a party man, let this unfortunate thing lie still, will you oblige me personally and say nothing about it? If you do I will consider myself under a deep obligation to y

e to you. On what grounds

nds you please. You sai

uick, abrupt, final. His face darkened. His eye

ich, s

ney without work or risk. You are young and clever and tall and straight and healthy an

t he held his peace, remained wi

ed and maimed, loathed, ungifted in speech, middle-aged. Do not stop me. I have no chance if I allow you, a gentleman of your eloquence, to spea

ndeed,

e said, and ask me to do you a favour, ask me to sell you a favour. Suppose the fav

. Anything

thinking

en-fold returned to y

nt. Let me t

the window leaning against the old-fashioned fold

chest, and his eyes fixed on the floor. Then

most wonderful clock in all the world, and I could show you the most wonderful gold in all the world, more wonderful a thousand times tha

t set me that questio

little way with me. I want to show you

ask wha

d not be

not I be

d and chicken-breasted and lop-

e you taking

an any mystery gold, than my own miracle gold

ha

wom

y shoul

t when you have seen, I will

a wo

a wo

cended t