hich had been
emptied from a strong brass-bound box, that lay on the floor.

"Well, the old fellow died game," said Mathews. "Did you see how
desperately he clenched his teeth, and how tightly he held the key of
his treasures. I had to cut through his fingers before I wrenched it
from his grasp. See, it is all stained with blood. Faugh! it smells of
carrion."

"He took me for Anthony," said Godfrey, shuddering; "and he cursed
me--oh, how awfully! He told me that we should meet in hell; that the
gold for which he had bartered his soul, and to obtain which I had
committed murder, had bought us an estate there. And then he
laughed--that horrid, dry, satirical laugh. Oh, I hear it yet. It would
almost lead me to repentance, the idea of having to pass an eternity
with him."

"Don't feel squeamish now, man. This brave sight," pointing to the gold,
"should lay all such nervous fancies to rest. The thing was admirably
managed; and between ourselves, I think that, if we had not pinked him,
that same virtuous son of his would. What did he want with pistols? It
looks queer."

"It will condemn him."

"Let us drink to his rising in the world," said the ruffian, handing the
brandy bottle to his companion in guilt. "How much money is there?"

"Two thousand five hundred pounds in gold."

"A pretty little fortune. How do you mean to divide the odd hundreds?"

"I want them for a particular purpose. There is a thousand; I think you
ought to be satisfied. It was my bullet that unlocked the box, when I
brought the old man down."

"You don't mean to say, that you intend to appropriate five hundred
pounds for the mere act of shooting the old dog, when I ran as much risk
as you?"

"Sit down, Bill;" for the smuggler had sprung to his feet, and stood
before his colleague in a menacing attitude; "and don't look so fierce.
It won't do for you and I to quarrel. I meant it for a marriage portion
for Mary; surely you don't wish to rob her?"

"It's just the same as appropriating it to yourself," growled the
villain; "you know that she can't keep anything from you."

"Mary, my pet," said Godfrey, now half intoxicated with the brandy he
had drank, taking up a handful of the money and going up to the bed, "I
heard you say a few days ago that you wanted a new frock; look, here is
plenty of money to buy you a score of smart dresses. Will you not give
me a kiss for all this gold?"

The girl turned her wide wandering eyes upon him, glanced a