'No, Sir. These gentlemen are far above any such consideration. I believe they would be simply contented with such a sum of money as would meet their personal expenses and their losses by this prolonged stay.' 'And to how much may these losses and expenses, taken together, amount?' 'I hear that his Reverence has lost a valuable Lectureship which has been given to another in his absence: and that the Squire has sustained losses among his cattle and his horses also owing to his absence.' 'And the combined figures, Sir, which would cover these losses?' 'I cannot say positively. Probably the clergyman's losses would be represented by £400 and the Squire's by £600. There would be my own costs in the case as well--but they are--as usual--a trifle.' 'And suppose we were to pay this money,' Tom continued, 'what should we have to prove that they would not give their evidence?' 'Sir--There you touch me on the tenderest point--the "pundonor," as the Spaniards say. You should lodge the money with any person in whom we could agree as a person of honour--and after the case for the prosecution had broken down--not before--he should give me that money. Observe that on the part of these two simple gentlemen there is trust, even in an attorney--in myself.' I said nothing, for as the man knew that I could not find a tenth part of the sum, I knew there was something behind. What it was I guessed very well. And, in fact, Mr. Probus immediately showed what it was. 'Mr. Halliday,' he said, 'I believe that I know your circumstances. I have on one or two occasions had to make myself acquainted with them. I shall not give offence if I suppose that you cannot immediately raise the sum of £1,000 even to save your life.' He spoke to me, but he looked at Alice. 'He cannot, certainly,' said Alice, 'either immediately or in any time proposed.' 'Quite so. Now, this is a case of life or death--life or death, Sir: life or death, Madam: an honourable life--a long life for your husband: or a shameful death--a shameful death: shameful to him: shameful to you: shameful to your child or children.' 'Hush!' whispered Jenny, laying a repressive hand again upon my shoulder, for again I was boiling over with indignation. What! The author and contriver of this shameful death was to come and call attention to the disgrace of which he was the sole cause! Had I been left to myself without Alice or Jenny, I would have brained the old villain. But I obeyed and sat in silence, answering nothing.