"Upon my honour I speak the truth; I heard the news last evening. They tracked you to C------; they tracked you out of the town; a word from me would have given you into their hands. I said nothing--you are safe--you may yet escape. I will even help you to fly the country, and live out your natural date of years, secure and in peace." "You did not say that the other day in the snug drawing-room; you see I have the best of it now--own that." "I do," said the banker. Darvil chuckled, and rubbed his hands. The man of wealth once more felt his importance, and went on. "This is one side of the question. On the other, suppose you rob and murder me, do you think my death will lessen the heat of the pursuit against you? The whole country will be in arms, and before forty-eight hours are over you will be hunted down like a mad dog." Darvil was silent, as if in thought; and after a pause, replied: "Well, you are a 'cute one after all. What have you got about you? you know you drove a hard bargain the other day--now it's my market--fustian has riz--kersey has fell." "All I have about me shall be yours," said the banker, eagerly. "Give it me, then." "There!" said the banker, placing his purse and pocketbook into Darvil's bands. "And the watch?" "The watch?--well there!" "What's that?" The banker's senses were sharpened by fear, but they were not so sharp as those of Darvil; he heard nothing but the rain pattering on the leaves, and the rush of water in the ditch at hand. Darvil stooped and listened--till, raising himself again, with a deep-drawn breath, he said, "I think there are rats in the haystack; they will be running over me in my sleep; but they are playful creturs, and I like 'em. And now, my /dear/ sir, I am afraid I must put an end to you!" "Good Heavens, what do you mean? How?" "Man, there is another world!" quoth the ruffian, mimicking the banker's solemn tone in their former interview. "So much the better for you! In that world they don't tell tales." "I swear I will never betray you." "You do?--swear it, then." "By all my hopes of earth and heaven!" "What a d-----d coward you be!" said Darvil, laughing scornfully. "Go--you are safe. I am in good humour with myself again. I crow over you, for no man can make me tremble. And villain as you think me, while you fear me you cannot despise--you respect me. Go, I say--go." The banker was about to obey, when suddenly, from the haystack, a broad, red light streamed upon the pair, and the next moment Darvil was seized from behind, and struggling in the gripe of a man nearly as powerful as himself. The light, which came from a dark-lanthorn, placed on the ground, revealed the forms of a peasant in a smock-frock, and two stout-built, stalwart men, armed with pistols--besides the one engaged with Darvil.