"That's just it," he answered. "I want to borrow money on that. A friend of mine--fellow-lodger--Mr. Melky Rubinstein--said I could borrow something here. That's a real good watch, you know." The girl glanced at her customer with a swift and almost whimsical recognition of his innocence, and almost carelessly picked up the watch. "Oh, Melky sent you here, did he?" she said, with a smile. "I see!" She looked the watch over, and snapped open the case. Then she glanced at Lauriston. "How much do you want on this?" she asked. CHAPTER TWO MRS. GOLDMARK'S EATING-HOUSE Lauriston thrust his hands in his pockets and looked at the girl in sheer perplexity. She was a very pretty, dark girl, nearly as tall as himself, slender and lissom of figure, and decidedly attractive. There was evident sense of fun and humour in her eyes, and about the corners of her lips: he suddenly got an idea that she was amused at his embarrassment. "How much can you lend me?" he asked. "What--what's it worth?" "No, that's not it!" she answered. "It's--what do you want to borrow? You're not used to pledging things, are you?" "No," replied Lauriston. "This is the first time. Can--can you lend me a few pounds?" The girl picked up the watch again, and again, examined it. "I'll lend you three pounds fifteen on it," she said suddenly, in business-like tones. "That do?" "Thank you," replied Lauriston. "That'll do very well--I'm much obliged. I suppose I can have it back any time." "Any time you bring the money, and pay the interest," replied the girl. "Within twelve calendar months and seven days." She picked up a pen and began to fill out a ticket. "Got any copper?" she asked presently. "Copper?" exclaimed Lauriston. "What for?" "The ticket," she answered. Then she gave him a quick glance and just as quickly looked down again. "Never mind!" she said. "I'll take it out of the loan. Your name and address, please." Lauriston presently took the ticket and the little pile of gold, silver, and copper which she handed him. And he lingered. "You'll take care of that watch," he said, suddenly. "It was my father's, you see." The girl smiled, reassuringly, and pointed to a heavily-built safe in the rear. "We've all sorts of family heirlooms in there," she observed. "Make yourself easy." Lauriston thanked her, raised his hat, and turned away--unwillingly. He would have liked an excuse to stop longer--and he did not quite know why. But he could think of none, so he went--with a backward look when he got to the door. The pretty pawnbroker smiled and nodded. And the next moment he was out in the street, with money in his pocket, and a strange sense of relief, which was mingled with one of surprise. For he had lived for the previous four days on a two-shilling piece--and there, all the time, close by him, had been a place where you could borrow money, easily and very pleasantly.