“It appears to me, Mr. Rugg, that you have not prospered,” said the lady.

That’s where you’re right, ma’am.”

“I am sorry for that.”

“So am I,” said the tramp, adding, with a cunning look, “but times will be better now.”

“Why will they be better?” asked Mrs. Middleton.

Tony won’t see me want when he comes into two thousand a year.”

“Who said he was coming into it?”

“You said he was the heir.”

“He hasn’t got the estate, and I don’t mean he shall have it.”

“How will you prevent that, ma’am?”

Mrs. Middleton again put her hand on the man’s tattered coat sleeve, and, in a voice scarcely above a whisper, said:

“Mr. Rugg, you must prevent it.”

“How can I prevent it?” asked the tramp, with an assumption of innocence.

Mrs. Middleton said, with slow significance:

“This boy is in my way. Don’t you think he might manage to get sick and die?”

“Perhaps he might,” said Rudolph, who did not appear to be shocked at the suggestion.

Couldn’t you manage it?” she asked.

I might,” he answered shrewdly, “if it was going to do me any good.”

“Then the only question is as to pay,” she continued.

That’s about it, ma’am. It’s a big risk. I might get caught and then money wouldn’t do me much good.”

“Nothing venture, nothing have. You don’t want to be a pauper all your life?”

“No, I don’t,” answered the tramp, with energy. “I’m tired of tramping round the country, sleeping in barns and under haystacks, and picking up meals where I can.”

“Do as I wish and you need never suffer such privations again,” said the tempter.

How much will you give me?” asked Rudolph.

Five hundred dollars down, and five hundred dollars income as long as you live.”

This was good fortune of which Rudolph had not dreamed, but he understood how to make the most of the situation.

It is not enough,” he said, shaking his head.

Not enough!” exclaimed Mrs. Middleton. “Why, it seems to me very liberal. You can live comfortably all your life just for doing one thing.”

“A thing which may bring me to the gallows. It’s all very well to talk, but I can’t risk my neck for that.”

The lady was not surprised. She had expected that she would be compelled to drive a bargain, and she had named a sum less than she was willing to pay.

You see,” continued Rudolph, “it’s going to be a great thing for you. You’ll be sure of a big estate and an income of two thousand pounds—that’s ten thousand dollars—a year, and it’ll be me that gives it to you.”

“You overestimate your service, Mr. Rugg,” she said, coldly. “If I decline to proceed further the estate will be mine.”

“Not if I bring on the boy, and say he’s the real heir.”

“I shall deny it,” said the lady, composedly, “and challenge you to the proof.”

“Then I’ll prove it.”

“Who will believe you?” asked Mrs. Middleton, quietly.

“Why shouldn’t they?”

“You are a tramp, and a discreditable person. I suppose the boy is one of the same sort.”

“No, he isn’t. I don’t like him overmuch, but h............