“Oh, only this; we have been looking after that murder case of old Bertram, and if you give us that sum, why, we won’t find out the right party, that’s all. You understand?” said Captain Jack, with a knowing wink. “Has it come to this?” said Phillip, after a pause, and, as he thought, unheard. “Nothing shorter, my lad; it were a clever job, you know, and by mere accident we found out all about it.” “You want that sum from me, say you?” “Yes, and nothing less.” “Do your band know of this?” “Not a word.” “On your oath?” “Yes.” “And will Bolton suffer?” “Why not? suspicion is against him. He had better swing than you; besides, we _must_ have somebody to hang over the job or the judges will think us worthless and useless. For the honour of our craft we must hang or transport somebody, you know, innocent or guilty, it matters little.” Phillip felt as if a serpent were gnawing at his heart, as he listened to Captain Jack’s words. For some moments neither Phillip nor Captain Jack spoke. “There cannot be a doubt now but that this knave has discovered all about old Bertram’s murder; and yet for a price he will screen the guilty, and have the innocent to suffer. What a scoundrel this fellow is! Yes, ’tis true: from little things, thieves and rogues take to greater ones, until, at last, the gallows is their fate. I little thought it would come to this.” For some time he shaded his face with his snow-white hand, in deep thought. But at last he aroused himself, and even attempted to be gay, as he said, “You wish to borrow that sum for a short time, eh?” “Yes,” said the captain, smiling; “I wish to borrow it, if you like to call it so, and will return it,” he added, very ominously, “whenever you like to demand it. You understand?” “But I have not such a sum at command. You do not want it all at once, I suppose?” “No; a few hundreds to commence with, and the other by instalments will suit me; I’m not very particular with friends.” “But how am I to get this large amount together?” said Phillip. “If my father is rich _I_ am not.” “Oh, you can get it easily enough. I dare say you have written your father’s signature before now.” “What!” said Phillip, reddening. “Nothing. I was only thinking,” said the captain, carelessly. “Would that I could give the rascal a bullet through the heart on the quiet,” said Phillip, as he bit his lip until it became white again; “but I’ll be even with him yet.” The arrangement was agreed to between them; but Captain Jack could see _revenge_ sparkling in the young man’s eyes, as he handed over a large sum of money to the knave. In a short time Captain Jack and his friends retired, and shortly afterwards it was discovered that they had been not only remarkably successful in dice and cards, but that several snuff-boxes and watches were missing. “Who shall I victimise to get this large sum?” thought Phillip. “This fellow will not be joked with.” And as he pondered long and silently he whispered to himself—