'What have you done?' demanded he, earnestly; 'I'll _tell_ you what you did. When I was at low water mark, with scarce a rag to my back or a crust to my stomach, and without a prospect of getting one, you took me by the hand, and in a d----d gentlemanly way gave me a h'ist out of the gutter. _That's_ what you did; and if you _did_ flare up now and then, and haul me over the coals; it was soon over, and soon forgotten. I don't bear malice, old fellow; no, no. It isn't my way; and as you're in trouble now, if I _can_ help you, I _will_. Never desert any one; am unfortunately bloody short of cash; but you can have what I've got, and when I get more, you shall have _that_ too.' As he spoke, he plunged his hand to the bottom of his pocket, drew out a very shabby-looking pocket-book, deposited it on the table. 'It isn't much; but you'll find it useful here, and you're welcome to it. This isn't the shop where nothing put out at interest produces a heavy income.' This offer had a powerful effect upon Rust; and it seemed as if some long dormant feelings were working their way to the surface from the depths of his heart. He gazed earnestly at his clerk, and once or twice opened his mouth to speak; but finally he got up, and taking the pocket-book from the table, handed it back to Kornicker, saying: 'I'm not in want of money. Gold is but dross _now_. I've plenty of it; but its value in my eyes is gone.' 'But,' remonstrated Kornicker, holding his hands behind him, and looking obstinately in another direction, partly to avoid taking the pocket-book and partly to resist the solicitations of his own necessities, which were strenuously urging him to do so, 'but you may want a lawyer to fight for you at your trial.' 'For that farce I am prepared. I _have_ one. He's paid for it, and he'll fight,' said Rust. 'It will avail nothing, for I did slay the man. It was a cold-blooded, deliberate murder. I planned it; I went up to that place with the stern determination to commit it; and I _did_ commit it. It was no hasty act, done in a moment of fierce and sudden passion; but a deed duly and deliberately meditated, and one that I would repeat. What _he_ had done, it's useless to mention. I had no redress, except what my own hand could give me. He has paid his forfeit, and I'll pay mine. I'll fight to the last; because,' added he, with that expression of stern purpose which so often settled on his face, 'Michael Rust never yields; and then, let the law do its worst. Take your money; I don't need it.' Kornicker hesitated; and then thrusting it in his pocket, said: 'I suppose, if you should happen to be short, you'll let me know.' 'I will,' replied Rust; 'but I've enough to last until my sand is run out. They'll hang me.' 'Don't talk so,' exclaimed Kornicker, with a feeling not a little akin to fear, at the cold, indifferent manner in which the other spoke. 'You _may_ escape--who knows?'