Then he went down the Strand till he came to a pawnbroker’s, where he disposed of the rings, studs, and pins which he possessed, thus adding a further ten pounds to his capital.
His next visit was to a watchmaker’s, where he was known, though the owner of it did not recognise him at first in his shabby clothes.
“You see I have come down in the world, Mr Balance,” said Kavanagh.
Mr Balance put on what he meant for a grave and sympathetic face.
“To wear a gold watch and chain would be absurd in my altered circumstances. Are you willing to change them for a stout silver one which will keep as good time, and pay me something for the difference?”
“Certainly I will, Mr Kavanagh; but, dear me, sir, pardon my asking; your guardian, Mr Burke, was such an old customer. I hope sir, there has been no unpleasantness between you.”
“None whatever; only he has died, poor man, and his will, in which I know that I was well treated, cannot be found. So you see I must not indulge in gold watches.”
“Dear me!” said the old man, to whom Kavanagh had gone for his first watch when quite a little boy, and upon whom he had called whenever he was in town since; to get the second handsome gold hunter now in question; to have it cleaned; to buy some little knick-knack, or merely for a chat. “Dear me; I do hope all will come right; I am sure all will come right.”
“I hope you are a true prophet,” said Kavanagh, cheerily. “But now, how about this silver watch?”
He chose a good strong one, with a chain to match, and handed over the gold, Mr Balance giving him twenty-five pounds besides.