“To me? I have no money whatever. It is of no use for me to inform you that Wiggins is all-powerful here. I thought by your professed knowledge of his wonderful secrets that you had some great power over him, and could get from him whatever you want.” “Never mind what you thought,” growled Leon. “I come to you, and you only, and I ask you for money.” “How can _I_ give it?” “By signing your name to a paper, a simple paper, which I can use. Your signature is necessary to effect what I wish.” “My signature? Ah! And what possible inducement can you offer me for my signature?” “Why, what you most desire.” “What? My freedom?” “Yes.” “Very well. Will you drive me to the village at once?” Leon hesitated. “Well, not just at once, you know. You must remain here a short time, and go through certain formalities and routine work, and attest certain things before a lawyer.” Edith smiled. “What a simpleton you must still think me! How easy you must think it is to impose upon me! Perhaps you think me so credulous, or so much in the habit of confiding in you, that no such thing as doubt ever enters my mind.” Leon glared angrily at her. “I tell you I must have it,” he cried, in excited tones. “I must have it--by fair means or foul.” “But of the two ways I _presume_ you have a preference for the latter,” said Edith. “I tell you I must and will have it,” reiterated Leon. “I don't see how you can get my signature very well--unless you forge it; but then I suppose that will not stand in your way.” “Now by all that is most holy,” cried Leon, vehemently, “you make me hate you even worse than I hate Wiggins.” “Really, these feelings of yours are a subject in which I do not take the smallest interest.” “I tell you,” cried Leon, struggling to repress his rage, “if you sign this paper you shall be free.” “Let me be free first, and then I will think about it.” “If you get free you'll refuse to sign,” said Leon. “But if I were to sign first I should never be free.” “You shall be free. I promise you on the honor of a gentleman,” cried Leon, earnestly. “I'm afraid,” said Edith, in a tone of quiet contempt, “that the security is of too little value.” Leon looked at her with fury in his eyes. “You are driving me to the most desperate measures,” he cried. “It seems to me that your measures have all along been as desperate as they well can be.” “I swear by all that's holy,” thundered Leon, “that I'll tame you yet. I'll bring you into subjection.” “Ah! then in that case,” said Edith, “my comfort will be that the subjection can not last long.” “Will it not?” asked Leon. “No, it will not, as you very well know,” said Edith, in cold, measured tones, looking steadfastly at him with what seemed like a certain solemn warning. She rose as she said this, still looking at Leon, while he also rose in a state of vehement excitement. “What do you meant” he cried. “You look as blood-thirsty as an assassin.”