animated discussion, it was ultimately decided that she and Douglas
would each take a hundred pounds (privately she determined to invest
her share for his benefit) and hand the remaining hundred to the old
woman in the black bonnet at her stand in the Caledonian Market.

The journey to Rangoon was now likely to be accomplished, thanks to the
Chinese Monster. When Douglas picked it off the cobble stones, from
among coarse common crockery, how little he dreamed what a factor this
figure would prove in his future--it had been the means of shaping his
destiny!

On Friday morning he sent in a formal acceptance of Mr. Martin's offer
and, having obtained leave, hurried away to the Caledonian Market, in
search of the old rag and bottle female. It was half-past twelve
o'clock when he arrived, he was late, and her pitch was empty. Had she
departed already? On inquiry he was informed that old Mother Doake had
departed for good--was, in fact, dead!

"Yes, she were run over by a motor-trolley ten days ago," announced the
woman in the next stall; "she was terribly old and blind and a real
wicked miser. There was no one belonging to her. Her clothes were
just lined with bank-notes, and there was a whole lot of papers and
bonds in her mattress, and a lovely silver tea-set up the chimney. She
grudged herself a penn-'orth o' milk, or a drop o' brandy, and she
worth thousands o' pounds! Being no heirs, the Crown takes the lot!
Thank you, sir," accepting a tip, "I suppose I could not tempt you with
a splendid fur-lined overcoat? Cost a hundred--but you can have it for
six. It belonged to a lord--I got it off his man. Well, maybe it's a
bit warmish, but it's dirt cheap and would come in next winter."