THE FATE OF THE HARA DIAMOND.




CHAPTER XXII.

MR. MADGIN AT THE HELM.


Mr. Madgin's house stood somewhat back from the main street of Eastbury.
It was an old-fashioned house, of modest exterior, and had an air of
being elbowed into the background by the smarter and more modern
domiciles on each side of it. Its steep, overhanging roof and porched
doorway gave it a sleepy, reposeful look, as though it were watching the
on-goings of the little town through half-closed lids, and taking small
cognizance thereof.

Entering from the street through a little wooden gateway of a bright
green colour, a narrow pathway, paved with round pebbles that were very
trying to people with tender feet, conducted you to the front door, on
which shone a brass plate of surpassing brightness, whereon was
inscribed:--

___________________________________
| |
| MR. SOLOMON MADGIN. |
| _General Agent_, |
| _Valuer, &c._ |