Melchior Rubinstein, who occupied the rooms immediately beneath his
own. He was a quiet, affable little person, with whom Lauriston sometimes
exchanged a word or two--and the fact that he sported rings on his
fingers, a large pin in his tie, and a heavy watch-chain, which was either
real gold or a very good imitation, made Lauriston think that he would
give him some advice. He stopped him--with a shy look, and an awkward
blush.
"I say!" he said. "I--the fact is, I'm a bit hard up--temporarily, you
know--and I want to borrow some money on my watch. Could you tell me where
there's a respectable pawnbroker's?"
Melky--known to every one in the house by that familiar substitute for his
more pretentious name--turned up the gas-jet and then held out a slender,
long-fingered hand. "Let's look at the watch," he said curtly, in a soft,
lisping voice. "I know more than a bit about watches, mister."
Lauriston handed the watch over and watched Melky inquisitively as he
looked at it, inside and out, in a very knowing and professional way.
Melky suddenly glanced at him. "Now, you wouldn't like to sell this here
bit of property, would you, Mr.
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