"Indeed, no," protested Hale, so loudly that Leo believed he was speaking the truth. "The stealing of the cup, and the subsequent blame being thrown on you, was unexpected. But I took advantage of the opportunity. You can prove your innocence only by my help, Haverleigh, and I give my evidence only on conditions." "I was prepared for such a speech," said Leo, calmly; "but it won't do, my friend. You must go to Tempest and tell him that you gave me three hundred pounds to pay my debts. Perhaps then he may disbelieve this ridiculous story of my being a thief." Hale sat up alertly. "Then you didn't steal the cup?" "Certainly not. How dare you suggest such a thing? I suspect you know more about the loss of the cup than I do." The baronet looked down on his crooked leg and smiled ironically. "Do you mean to infer that I thrust this misshapen body through that window?" "No! But you have plenty of money to pay for any rascality." "I am not so fond of parting with money," said Hale, dryly. "I know nothing about the cup. But I really thought you stole it. Mrs Jeal's tale--" "Ha!" Leo started up. "She told you that? Why?" "Because she is a woman who is fond of money," said Hale, quietly. "Knowing that my sister is in love with you, Haverleigh, she came to threaten me. She declared that she would proclaim you a thief if I did not pay her. It was her belief that such a course would break my sister's heart." "And what did you do?" "I told her I would inform the police if she dared to speak to me in that manner again. I believe she then went to the vicar. But if I come forward, Haverleigh, and state that I lent you the money, it will go a long way towards clearing you. Of course, I do not understand this pawning business. The woman says she saw you." "She saw my double, or someone dressed up to resemble me," said Leo, vehemently; "but she did not see me. I was never near the shop." "So you say," said Hale, smiling cruelly. "However, you must see that I can help you. I will do so on one condition--no, on two." "I can guess the two," said Leo, looking at his mean face. "You want me to surrender Sybil so that you may marry her, and to make your sister my wife? Is that not so?" Hale smiled again. "You save me the trouble of an explanation," he said. "Then I absolutely refuse to do what you want, Hale. I respect your sister, who is a kind and good-hearted girl; but I do not love her, and not for all the gold in the world would I marry her. On the other hand, nothing will induce me to give up Sybil. She shall never become your wife. I wonder you have the impertinence to propose such a thing to me!" "If you don't do what I ask," said Hale, very pale and venomous, "I shall refuse to help you. I shall deny that I lent you the money."