"And did you come in the right way, you dog, bullying and threatening me, thinking to frighten me, just as if you could find a soul to take any notice of a word such a blackguard as you would say? But there, I've no time to waste; I've done wrong in bringing you here. Go and tell everybody in the town what you please, how I was in the same bank with you in London and you were given into custody for embezzlement, and at your trial received for sentence two years' imprisonment." "Yes, when if I had been a coward and spoken out--" Hallam made a move towards him, when the poor, weak, broken-down wretch cowered lower. "Don't, Rob; don't, old man," he cried piteously. "I'll never say a word. I'll never open my lips. You know I wouldn't be such a coward, bad as I am. But you will help a fellow, won't you?" "Help you? What, have you come to me for blackmail? Why should I help you?" "Because we were old friends, Hallam. Because I always looked up to you, and did what you told me; and you don't know what it has been, Rob, you don't indeed! I used to be a strong fellow, but this two years have brought me down till I'm as thin and weak as you see me. I'm like a great girl; least thing makes me cry and sob, so that I feel ashamed of myself!" "Ashamed? You?" cried Hallam scornfully. "Yes, I do, 'pon my word, Rob. But you will help me, won't you?" "No. Go to the constable's place, and they'll give you an order for the workhouse. Be off, and if you ever dare to come asking for me again, I'll send for the officer at once." "But--but you will give me a shilling or two, Hallam," said the miserable wretch. "I'm half-starved." "You deserve to be quite starved! Now go." "But, Hallam, won't you believe me, old fellow? I want to be honest now--to do the right thing." "Go and do it, then," said Hallam contemptuously. "Be off." "But give me a chance, old fellow; just one." "I tell you I'll do nothing for you," cried Hallam fiercely. "On the strength of your having been once respectable, if you had come to me humbly I'd have helped you, but you came down here to try and frighten me with your noise and bullying. You thought that if you came to the bank you would be able to dictate all your own terms; but you have failed, Stephen Crellock: so now go." "But, Rob, old fellow, I was so--so hard up. You don't know." "Are you going before I send for the constable?" "Yes, yes, I'm going," said the miserable wretch, gathering himself up. "I'm sorry I came to you, Hallam. I thought you would have helped a poor wretch, down as I am." "And you found out your mistake. A man in my position does not know a gaol-bird."