The Substitute Millionaire — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Substitute Millionaire
John Stuart Mill · en
"That little job I did for you; has it served its turn?"
"Couldn't have been better."
"What do you require to-day?"
"A fresh make-up for another purpose."
"Ah! Come back into one of the dressing-rooms."
Mr. Evers was distressed to learn that Jack had put himself out to get
to the shop before closing time.
"You can make an appointment by 'phone for any hour of the day or
night," he said. "Of course it would be too conspicuous for me to let
you in and out of the shop after closing hours, but my apartment is
upstairs. Come there any time, and we can get what we need out of the
shop."
Jack thanked him. "This time," he said, "I want to look like a mere
lad, a poor boy in cheap worn clothes, but a student, a highbrow, full
of wild, anarchistic ideas."
"Anarchistic?" said Mr. Evers, elevating the scant eyebrows. "Are you
going into that kind of society?"
"Temporarily."
"Beware! I know nothing about such people, but I am told they are like
wild beasts. Curious, isn't it, how they run to hair? Disturbs all my
theories. Such beards! Such tangled, flowing locks. How is it that
men so unbalanced are thus favored?"
"I don't know," said Jack, smiling. "Perhaps they don't have any more
than other men to start with, but spare the scissors and the razor."
"I've taken that into account. Even so, you never heard of a bald
anarchist, did you?"
Jack admitted that he had not. "Perhaps I can give you some first-hand
information later," he added.
Mr. Evers said he would be glad of it.
"Now let me see as to your make-up," he went on. "Your luxuriant hair
will now come in handy. Let it fall over your eyes so. A pair of
thick glasses this time to make you look short-sighted. I have a pair
specially made with lenses of clear glass let in to enable you to see
where you are going. Clothes are the principal item. I think I have
just what you require."
"It's no trouble for me to make you look like a youth who might
frequent such company," he said, "but the question is, can you keep up
the character once you get there? I am told those people talk a
strange jargon of phrases that the uninitiated cannot understand."
"I've been boning up on their literature," said Jack. "I think I can
keep my end up."
"Ah, I see I am not dealing with a tyro," said Mr. Evers with a
flattering air of respect.
Jack dined at an humble little restaurant on the East Side, such as
befitted his new condition, and afterwards presented himself at the
address on East Broadway furnished by Sturani's letter. It was one of
those plain old-fashioned dwellings common in the neighborhood. They
are occupied by the elite of the East Side; that is to say, doctors,
lawyers, politicians, who still find it profitable to live among their
clients and constituents.