He folded his cloak closer around him, and with hasty steps passed onwards to the smithy. Thrice he struck the heavy door with the hilt of his sword, and in a moment the smith’s voice from within called loudly, “Who knocks?” “Learmont,” was the answer; the door was flung open and the squire stood as the stranger had stood the preceding evening in the glare of the fire from the smithy. “You are punctual, sir,” said Gray, advancing with an air of mock ceremony. Learmont waved his hand in reply, and stalked into the old hall. “Now,” he said, when Britton had barred the door, “I am here. Make your proposition.” “Are you not afraid, sir,” sneered Gray, “to trust your worshipful person alone with two such old acquaintances?” “No,” answered Learmont fearlessly, “I know you both too well. You calculate. My life is valuable to you. My death, in the accomplishment of which you might get some chance injury yourselves, would be a perfectly gratuitous act.” “Enough of this folly,” growled Britton. “Let us to business.” “I persevere then in my offer,” said Learmont, with a slight trembling of his voice. “A thousand pounds.” The smith was silent, but Gray spoke. “We have decided, worshipful sir,” he said. “And your decision is—” “This. We think, with your worship, that London is the most delightful of cities, and we purpose to follow you thither; to live ever near you, and to trust to your liberality for our wants.” For a moment it seemed, by the convulsive working of the countenance of Learmont, that he was about to burst into an uncontrollable fit of passion; but if such was his feeling he succeeded in suppressing it, and replied with an affectation of calmness, “Preposterous! You must think me weak, indeed, to be thus dictated to, Master Gray.” “Then I must to London,” said Gray, “and my only regret is that I have wasted valuable time.” “Look ye, Squire Learmont,” said Britton, folding his huge arms across his breast, and glaring with his ferocious eyes in the face of his patron. “I was to have been well paid for a black job. You know I have been ill paid, on the plea that it was not completed.” “I have constantly supplied your wants,” said Learmont, shrinking under the savage gaze of the smith. “I have not starved, truly,” continued Britton. “But now I will have wealth.” “Wealth? How can I divide sufficient among us three to make you wealthy?” “Master Gray,” continued Britton, “has a ready wit and the news he brings shall enrich us.” “If I absolutely refuse?“ “Then we bargain for impunity for the past, while we—” “Denounce me?” “Exactly.” “And to what extent, most considerate gentlemen, do you contemplate making me your banker?” “More or less as the case may be,” said Gray; “but we will be moderate in a gentlemanly way. Eh, Britton?” “Certainly,” growled Britton, with the laugh of a hyena. “The sum! The sum!” said, Learmont, impatiently.