“Oh, ho! Command the rocks to open and set you free; perhaps they will hear and obey,” was the sneering retort. “But I cannot obey you just yet; you know, I promised to return to you again, and I always keep promises of this kind, especially when I have a purpose to accomplish.” Mr. Ellerton bowed his head wearily upon his hands and made no reply. The evil-hearted squire went on, sneeringly: “Nice little match that of Ralph Ellerton’s. I presume you will be interested to know that he will now have the command of three fortunes; you have always taken such an interest in the lad’s welfare that it must be pleasing to you to know of his present good luck. Miss Dupont’s, or rather Mrs. Ellerton’s fortune, united with my own, and then yours on the top of that, will make quite a little pile, amounting in all to about two millions of dollars. You perceive I keep posted about these things.” “Villain! will you hold your peace?” demanded Mr. Ellerton, exasperated nearly beyond control. He raised his head again, and sharply scrutinized the face of his enemy, and grew a shade paler at the diabolical purpose he saw written there. He saw at once that the man meant to take his life. Step by step the squire approached nearer to his victim, until only a short space remained between them. In a stern, authoritative tone, Mr. Ellerton cried out: “Back, villain! Do not dare to take another step, or you shall pay dearly for it!” The wretch leered fearfully at him, and, with a shrill, mocking laugh, glided still nearer. “Do you think I fear you?” he asked, “or that I have come here unprepared to defend myself! Look!” The squire drew a long, slender dagger from his bosom as he spoke, and held it up before the face of his victim. “This beautiful little instrument,” he said, lightly feeling its edge with one long, bony finger, “is poisoned, and one scratch would send you to your long-lost and lovely bride—she who ought to have been mine, and whom you stole from me, curses on you!” His deepest passions began to be stirred, as they always were when his mind reverted to the fancied wrongs of long ago. “But,” he continued, “my revenge will soon be complete, for I am going to stab you to the heart with this, and then watch you while you die. Oh, it will be a feast to my eyes, a joy to my soul! No, no—better not try that,” he said, as Ellerton made a motion as if to seize the weapon from his hand. “Remember, the merest trick will prove fatal and cause you tenfold more suffering. Better take it quietly to your heart at once and have it over with; you will meet Jessie then all the sooner.” “Oh, heavens, what a monster!” moaned the wretched man. His heart sickened within him as he realized his horrible situation. The fiend bent near to him; he could feel his hot breath against his cheek, see the pupil of his eye dilate and then contract with the deadly purpose of his heart shining through them.