ow nothing about it," said Frank; "but if our interview is only to
consist in an examination of myself, the sooner it ends the better."

"Don't you see what I'm at, sir?--don't you perceive that I only want to
know your honor's feeling towards me, and whether what I 'm to say is
to be laid up in your heart, or taken down in writing and made into an
indictment."

"My feeling towards you is easily told. If you be an honest man, and
have any need of me, I 'll stand by you; if you be not an honest
man, but the dishonesty only affects myself and my interests, show me
anything that can warrant it, and I 'm ready to forgive you."

The prisoner hung down his head, and for some minutes seemed deeply
immersed in reflection.

"Mr. Dalton," said he, drawing his chair closer to the bed, "I 'll make
this business very short, and we need n't be wasting our time talking
over what is honesty and what is roguery,--things every man has his own
notions about, and that depend far more upon what he has in his pocket
than what he feels in his heart I can do _you_ a good turn; _you_ can do
_me_ another. The service I can render you will make you a rich man, and
put you at the head of your family, where you ought to be. All I ask
in return is a free discharge from this jail, and money enough to go
to America. There never was a better bargain for you! As for myself, I
could make more of my secret if I liked; more, both in money--and--and
in other ways."

As he said these last few words, his cheek grew scarlet and his eyes
seemed to glisten.

"I scarcely understand you," said Frank. "Do you mean--"

"I 'll tell you what I mean, and so plainly that you can't mistake me.
I 'll make you what you have good right to be,----the 'Dalton of
Corrig-O'Neal,' the ould place, that was in your mother's family for
hundreds of years back. It is n't taking service in a foreign land you
need be, but an Irish gentleman, living on his own lawful estate."

"And for this you ask--"

"Just what I told you,--an open door and two hundred pounds down," said
the fellow, with a rough boldness that was close on insolence. "I've
told you already that if I only wanted a good bargain there 's others
would give more; but that's not what I 'm looking for. I 'm an old man,"
added he, in a softened voice, "and who knows when I may be called away
to the long account!" Then suddenly, as it were correcting himself for a
weak admission, he went on, more firmly, "That's neith