172 ANGLING SKETCHES 



o'clock, pondering how he might raise money for 

 the book on which his heart was set. His feet had 

 taken him, half unconsciously, to 



a dismal court, 

 Place of Israelite resort, 



where dwelt and dealt one Isaacs, from whom he 

 had, at various times, borrowed money on usury. 

 The name of Isaacs was over a bell, one of many 

 at the door, and, when the bell was rung, the street 

 door ' opened of his own accord,' like that of the 

 Kttle tobacco-and-talk club which used to exist in 

 an alley off Pall Mall. Allen rang the bell, the 

 outer door opened, and, as he was standing at the 

 door of Isaacs' chambers, before he had knocked, 

 that portal also opened, and the office-boy, a 

 young Jew, slunk cautiously out. On seeing 

 Allen, he had seemed at once surprised and 

 alarmed. Allen asked if his master was in ; the 

 lad answered ' No ' jn a hesitating way ; but on 

 second thoughts, averred that Isaacs 'would be 

 back immediately,' and requested Allen to go in 

 and wait. He did so, but Isaacs never came, and 

 Allen fell asleep. He had a very distinct and 



