“How much did Dr. Bilks give you for telling this story?” demanded Dick, sharply. “Dr. Bilks!” repeated Mrs. McGuire. “Not a cent.” “Are you willing to go into court and swear to all you have stated?” “Ivery word of it!” exclaimed Sandy, emphatically; and, whether true or false, there was no doubt he would do so. Eugene proposed, in a whisper, that the man should be arrested for not reporting the birth and death of the child; but Dick assured him that a householder was not liable under six months for the penalty, which was only five dollars. As Dr. Bilks was the real manager of the case, it was best to fight the enemy with his own weapons. “McGuire,” said Hungerford, “I will give you five hundred dollars if you will show me where you buried the child.” The man was indignant, and positively refused. Eugene then offered him the same sum if he would tell the whole truth. He was tempted, shaken, but finally refused, evidently from fear of consequences. “I will leave the offer open to you, McGuire. Dr. Bilks has probably given you one hundred dollars to tell this story. No woman has been here, no child has been born; it is all humbug.” “D’ yous mane to say I lied to yous?” said McGuire, indignantly. “That is what I mean; but you were paid for it,” replied Eugene. “We care nothing about the child or the woman. If you wish to make five hundred dollars, you have only to tell the truth.” “That’s just what I’ve been doin’, your honor.” “If you change your mind, let me know.” It was not probable that he would change his mind till he had seen Dr. Bilks, who would give him the five hundred dollars rather than have his scheme exposed. McGuire was shaken and tempted by the large offer; and Dick saw it. “McGuire, I will give you a thousand dollars for the truth,” continued Eugene, at Dick’s suggestion. “A tousand dollars!” exclaimed the wretch, who had never seen so much money. “Yes; five thousand,” added the _millionnaire_, without any prompting this time. Dick laughed. Dick enjoyed a joke. “O modther o’ Mary!” ejaculated the bewildered miscreant. “Five thousand!” repeated Eugene, laughing heartily, as he glanced at his friend. “Sure, you don’t mane so! You’re makin shport uv a poor man.” “I’m in earnest. I will make my offer in writing,” added Eugene; and he took from his pocket a piece of paper on which he wrote in pencil, “_I agree to give Sandy McGuire five thousand dollars for the whole truth in regard to the child alleged to have been born at his house on Monday night last._” He dated and signed it. “Let me witness it,” said Dick, laughing. It was duly witnessed, though, being written in pencil and without a seal, it was hardly a legal document, yet the two gentlemen had no doubt it would prove to be a valuable instrument in the hands of its possessor. “I’ll see your honor to-morrow,” said Sandy. “After you have consulted Dr. Bilks,” laughed Dick.