"You can’t tempt me. I don’t care about the risk, but I sha’n’t be a party to no cold-blooded murder. I didn’t come here to engage in any such fool business"; and he turned on Burke as if defying him. "If you are not going to do as I wish, I will not help you longer, nor give you liquor. I can’t afford to keep a dead one in food and whisky," Burke went on in a whining voice, as if loath to act. "Shut off the whisky, and be damned to you, if you wish! I may want a drink bad enough to-morrer to kill a man, an’ I shouldn’t wonder if I did; but I’m not feelin’ that way to-night," Blott answered, sullenly. "Then take that, you booby, you driveling idiot!" and Burke leveled a pistol full at Blott’s breast and fired. Too late the latter sought to spring upon his enemy, but with the movement he threw up his hands, and without cry or sound of any kind sank down upon the floor. Burke, who had sprung to his feet, stopped short when he saw Blott waver and fall. And thus he stood watching him, with his face half-revealed. When some time had passed and Blott did not stir, Burke went to him, and lifting his hand, let it fall to the floor. "Dead, and so quick, too, the ass! But he would have it, and I could do nothing less. Did he suppose I would let him go knowing what he did! Well, well, you need not fear spooks longer, Blott, and I hope they will find you better company than I have"; saying which, he stood contemplating the fallen man as if reflecting on his fate. At last, gathering himself together, he went on: "Lie there, you donkey! till I come back, when a hole will put you out of sight. Better work alone than with such a baby. Yes, yes, much better!" And his voice, which a moment before had been like the cry of a wild beast, was now soft and purring, as if with the occasion all feeling of anger had vanished from his heart forever.