Produced by Al Haines. [Illustration: Cover art] A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL _By_ *EDEN PHILLPOTTS* AUTHOR OF "IN SUGAR-CANE LAND;" "THE END OF A LIFE;" "FOLLY AND FRESH AIR;" "SOME EVERY-DAY FOLKS;" ETC. _LONDON_ BLISS, SANDS AND FOSTER CRAVEN STREET, STRAND, W.C. 1895 *CONTENTS.* I. Grandfather’s Birthday II. In the Cupboard III. Cold Comfort IV. Hidden in London V. The People next Door VI. Retreat VII. "Vote for Dolphin" VIII. Marie Rogers IX. In London once more X. The Crusade XI. A New Leaf turned XII. A Suggestion XIII. The Squire’s Daughter XIV. At Upper Norwood XV. Susan Marks XVI. On the River XVII. Phyllis XVIII. I forbid the Banns XIX. Counsel’s Opinion XX. A Climax XXI. My Nightmare XXII. The Dwindling of Grandpapa XXIII. "Fine by Degrees and Beautifully Less" XXIV. The Passing of Grandpapa _*A Deal with the Devil.*_ *CHAPTER I.* _*GRANDFATHER’S BIRTHDAY.*_ Before my grandpapa, Mr. Daniel Dolphin, comes down to breakfast on the morning of his hundredth birthday, I may tell you something about him. He has been married three times; he has buried all his wives and all his children. There were five of the latter, resulting from grandpapa’s three marriages; but now I, Martha Dolphin, the only child of grandpapa’s eldest son, am the sole survivor and living descendant of Daniel Dolphin.