"I know it, I know it!" cried Dombrain in despair; "but what can I do? If I do not stop your going to Oates, he knows me, and he will tell all. If I do stop you, then you in revenge will tell all." "I see, you are between two fires," said Mrs. Belswin, calmly. "Well, set your mind at rest; I will trouble Silas Oates no more." "You will not?" "No. All I wanted out of him was money, but as to that you will take his place and be my banker." "I?" "Yes, you! Pshaw, man, you needn't look so scared! You know well enough that the money will be returned to you when those shares are sold." "But they are worth nothing." "So I thought until you wanted to buy them," said Mrs. Belswin, with a sneer. "You forget I hold your life in my hand!" cried Dombrain, threateningly. "Well, and I hold your position in mine," retorted Mrs. Belswin. "My life is a great deal to me, your position is everything to you. I am willing to leave Silas Oates alone if you give me money when I require it; if not, you can denounce me when you like." "And then you will be hanged!" said Dombrain, spitefully. "Bah! I can prove your story to be a lie." "How so?" "I'll tell you now. Good heavens! did you think that if I was guilty I'd think my life safe in your keeping? My neck against your position? Bah! the thing is ridiculous. I can clear myself and ruin you at the same time, but I want no scandal, nor my daughter to know who I am, as she inevitably must had I to publicly defend myself of your charge of murder. So you see that on my side I have as much a desire as you to keep matters quiet. Now then, I'll leave Silas Oates alone, I will not go near him; but if I want money you must supply it." "I will do so--to any reasonable amount," replied Dombrain, hastily. "But you say you are innocent?" "And I am." "After what I've seen I don't believe it. If you did not kill him, who else had a motive?" "How do I know? I was not in all the secrets of Sir Rupert's life. But I can tell to you, so afraid of losing your pettifogging position, what I dare not tell any one else. I saw Sir Rupert's dead body on that night, but I did not kill him." "Then you know who did?" "No, I do not." "Let me hear your story," said Dombrain, with a disbelieving smile.