rival at
our--destination I disburse to you certain monies and give
you--quittance of my service."

"Abduction is a capital offence, sir."

"Egad, I believe it is. But you have run such chances ere now----"

"True sir. There was your uncle, since dead----"

"Ha!" exclaimed Mr. Dalroyd and, soft though his voice was, Joseph
blenched and cowered.

"I--I've served you faithfully hitherto, sir!" said he hastily.

"And will again, grub!" nodded Mr. Dalroyd. "You will take two days'
leave to make your necessary arrangements and on second thoughts I will
give you two hundred guineas; one half as earnest-money you shall take
with you in the morning--now go. I'll dispense with your services
to-night. Begone, object! You shall have the money and further
instructions in the morning."

Joseph took a hesitating step towards the door, paused and came back.

"Sir, how if--our scheme fail?"

"The--scheme will not fail."

"Sir, how if I make off with the money?"

"Why then, Joseph, there is your bedridden mother you have so great a
weakness for--she cannot abscond."

Here Joseph raised his eyes at last and Mr. Dalroyd happening at that
moment to glance into the mirror saw murder glaring at him, instantly
Joseph's gaze abased itself, yet a fraction too late, Mr. Dalroyd's
hand shot out and catching up a heavy toilet-bottle he whirled about
and felled Joseph to his knees.

"Ha!" he exclaimed softly, staring down at the fallen man who crouched
with bloody face hidden in his hands, "I've met and mastered your like
ere this! Out, vermin--come out!"

And stooping, he seized the cowering form in strong, merciless hands,
dragged him across the floor and kicked him from the room. Then,
having closed the door Mr. Dalroyd surveyed himself in the mirror
again, examined eye and mouth with frowning solicitude and proceeded to
undress. Being ready for bed, he took up the candle, then stood with
head bent in the attitude of one in thought or like one who hearkens
for distant sounds, set down the candle and opening a drawer took out a
silver-mounted pistol and glanced heedfully at flint and priming; with
this in his hand he crossed the room and slipping the weapon under his
pillow, got into bed and blew out the candle. But, in the act of
composing himself to sleep, he started up suddenly, and sat again in
the attitude of one who listens; then very stealthily, he got out of
bed and crossing to the door felt about in the dark a