hand of the young man in his own, as a father might take that of a beloved son. "I'll give you anything—if you'll come back. I haven't long to live. Return to-night and I'll leave you the business. Now what do you say?"
Had it been human to forgive at such a moment, S. Gedge Antiques would have been forgiven. But William could only stand dumb and unresponsive before the master he had loved.
"I'm a warm man." The voice of the old dealer who had made money his god, sank to a whisper becoming a theme so sacred. "My investments have turned out well. There's no saying what I am worth—but this I'll tell you in strict confidence—I own property." The hushed tone was barely audible. "In fact I own nearly half my own side of this street. Now what do you say? Promise to come back to me to-night and I'll go right now and see my lawyer."
The young man stood the image of unhappiness.
"Only speak the word and you shall inherit every stick and stone."
It was a moment to rend the heart of both, but the word was not spoken. For the second time that afternoon William was hard set to rein back his tears; but he had not the power to yield to this appeal.
Overborne by the knowledge that the hand of Fate was upon him, S. Gedge Antiques, leaning heavily on his knotted stick, moved feebly towards the dark street.
