Joseph opened his lips to answer, then closed them again. In his eagerness he had almost parted with the information which he now proposed to make the price of his life. He regained confidence at Crispin's tone and questions, gathering from both that the knight was willing to believe if proof were set before him. He rose to his feet, and when next he spoke his voice had won back much of its habitual calm deliberateness. “That,” said he, “I will tell you when you have promised to go hence, leaving Gregory and me unharmed. I will supply you with what money you may need, and I will give you a letter to those people, so couched that what they tell you by virtue of it shall be a corroboration of my words.” His elbow resting upon the table, and his hand to his brow so that it shaded his eyes, sat Crispin long in thought, swayed by emotions and doubts, the like of which he had never yet known in the whole of his chequered life. Was Joseph lying to him? That was the question that repeatedly arose, and oddly enough, for all his mistrust of the man, he was inclined to account true the ring of his words. Joseph watched him with much anxiety and some hope. At length Crispin withdrew his hands from eyes that were grown haggard, and rose. “Let us see the letter that you will write,” said he. “There you have pen, ink, and paper. Write.” “You promise?” asked Joseph. “I will tell you when you have written.” In a hand that shook somewhat, Joseph wrote a few lines, then handed Crispin the sheet, whereon he read: The bearer of this is Sir Crispin Galliard, who is intimately interested in the matter that lies betwixt us, and whom I pray you answer fully and accurately the questions he may put you in that connexion. “I understand,” said Crispin slowly. “Yes, it will serve. Now the superscription.” And he returned the paper. Ashburn was himself again by now. He realized the advantage he had gained, and he would not easily relinquish it. “I shall add the superscription,” said he calmly, “when you swear to depart without further molesting us.” Crispin paused a moment, weighing the position well in his mind. If Joseph lied to him now, he would find means to return, he told himself, and so he took the oath demanded.