"Did I not say ere now that I would not harm you, unless you gave me just cause?" demanded Rainford. "And think you that your refusal to comply with my present wish does not constitute such just cause? You have discovered my lodging, which it does not suit me to leave on that account:—you may also have found out that I am not _alone_ here——" "I know that a certain Jewess is your mistress," said Old Death, with a savage leer—for all the vindictive passions of his nature were aroused by the conduct of the individual who dared to coerce him—_him_, who had never been coerced before! "A certain Jewess!" repeated Rainford, surveying Old Death with a singular expression of countenance. "Yes—Esther de Medina," added Bones. "Esther de Medina is as pure and innocent as the babe that is unborn!" cried the highwayman, with impassioned emphasis. "Then she must be your wife," said Old Death. "Liar!" thundered Tom Rain, rushing forward and seizing the ancient villain by the throat: then, as if ashamed of the sudden transport of rage into which he had suffered himself to be betrayed, he withdrew his hand, and said in a more quiet but still determined manner, "Mention not the name of Esther de Medina with disrespect—or I warn you that my vengeance—yes, _my_ vengeance—will be terrible! And now prepare to lead me to your place of abode—for I am wearied of this long parley." He again drew forth one of his pistols, which he had consigned to his pocket when he rushed on the old man in the way just described. "You'll repent this, Mr. Rainford," said Old Death, endeavouring to impress the highwayman with vague and undefined alarms. [Illustration] "You see how evil your nature is, since you can threaten me thus," cried Tom. "But I care little for your menaces. I have but two alternatives to choose between:—one is to blow your brains out at once—the other is to get you as much into my power as you have got me into yours. Either way will answer my purpose. So now make up your mind which it shall be. The people in Lock's Fields wouldn't take much notice if they heard a pistol fired; and there's a pretty deep ditch at the bottom of the yard behind the house." Old Death shuddered; for there was something awfully determined in the highwayman's manner. "Well—and if I take you to a certain place," he said, "how do I know that you will not split upon me?" "Trust to me as I shall _then_ trust to you," ejaculated Rainford. "Shall we not continue to be necessary to each other? And on my part, I shall at least experience more confidence, since I shall know that you cannot ruin me without bringing destruction on yourself!" "Be it as you say," growled Old Death; and, fixing his greasy cap upon his head, he prepared to depart. "One moment—while I say a word up stairs," said Rainford; and, hastily quitting the room, he locked the door behind him.