ll" Crewe and a middle-aged man whose antique dress coat and none too spotless linen certainly did not advertise their owner's prosperity. Yet this man with the stubbly moustache and the ba

he said admiringly, and for about th

with a good-humoure

to talk about when I go back to Yorkshire. It is lucky I m

than luck in that meeting

d the Yorkshireman; "I must say it lo

ain and lifted a bott

e nowt more. I've got as much as I can

placed the bot

of the tria

nd I said to my missus: 'Yon's a cl

he criminal classes, eh?" sai

t literally, "but being a J.P. and on the bench of magistrates, I natura

ur lady wife say

ireman smi

e things. She's a proper London lady, my wif

e daughter of Lord Westsevern. It cost you a hun

ireman sta

u know that

t, too, aren't you. And you're

laughed u

ped," he said admiringly, and th

rested in the c

waved a pro

lonel," he said. "My friend Crewe here wouldn't think I wou

en," interrupted the colone

E

an st

fruit knife; "for twenty years I have been making money by buying b

--" began

s and sub-agents, who are constantly on the look-out for scandal. Housekeeper

in was s

h concerns a gentleman of property. I prefer those sca

Crotin was roll

ou going to do? The night's youn

roduced me to you, I hadn't any idea that you were that kind of man. You don't suppose that

business is business, and as I'm making an

ner. "Ah! that's a joke of yours! You'

ne Mill from you. In fact, I have all the

man grimly. "And what might you b

ounds cash," said the colonel, and

after awhile. "Why, man, that propert

h a little more," said

the angry Yorkshireman. "It isn't

r cent., I think," said the colonel. "Those are the shar

roared Crotin, bringing his

e colonel's voice was gentle but in

otin's face

n a boy," the colonel proceeded, "and you were rather in love with her

tin did n

nd the allowance you gave her, there seemed to be no need to admit your marriage, especially as there were no children. Then you began to take part in local politics and to accumulate ambitions.

prove that,"

found hi

telegraphic money orders. We heard of these mysterious payments but suspected nothing beyond a vulgar love affair. Then one night, whilst your pl

tin thickly. "You've got me, mi

ing frank with people like you. Here are the transfers. Y

him by the throat with a hand like a steel vice, and shook him as a dog

game, I'll break your damned neck! Come any of those tr

for this," said the wh

e, if you don't sign, and it is the in

adily, flinging down

r this," he said

y," said t

the door and the

that?"

e in?" sai

was fr

?" asked t

and, and then a white, hooded face

e hateful voice. "Down, dog; down!" He flourished the long-barrelled revolver

birthright for a mess of pottage! Don't tou

the transfer, which he thrust in

ey'd come for a mill every year and they'd never leave you till you were dead or broke. Go to the police, my poor lamb,

h one arm he swung back the merchant and stoo

el found

ke a bargain with you. I've offered a hundred thousand pounds to any

ck o' Judgment in his curious, squeaky voice,

he had passed through the door, and he

window!" sai

to see the Yorkshireman emerge with unsteady steps and stride into the night. They waited for their visitor to follow. A minute, two

a wondering voice. "What th