zed hold of Spurling by the
throat with both hands, and shook him violently, crying, "What was her
name? Will you tell me that?"

Spurling wrenched himself free and his eyes blazed threateningly. "It
wasn't a woman," he said; "thank God, I haven't sunk to that." Then
more slowly, gazing fixedly on Granger as if to calculate how far it
was safe to confide, "and he wasn't a friend of yours," he added.

Granger turned away from the window that the murderer might not see
his countenance; his lips moved as if he prayed. He passed his hand
before his eyes as a man does who has been temporarily blinded by a
sudden flash. He had become terribly aware how near he had been to
committing the crime for which this man was hunted. The knowledge of
that fact gave him sympathy, a lack of which is always based on
ignorance. The compassionate man is invariably one who has been
greatly tempted. In those few seconds whilst he withdrew himself, the
whole portentous problem was argued out, "By how much is this man who
intends, better than that man who accomplishes his crime?" He
concluded that the difference was not one of virtue, but only of
opportunity--which entailed no credit on himself. He had passed
through Spurling's temptation scatheless, therefore he could afford
him tenderness.

"Druce," he said, speaking tremblingly, "it is terrible how far two
men can drift apart in the passage of three short years."

"Then why did you leave me?" asked Spurling sulkily, not yet reassured
of his safety, nor recovered from his rough usage.

"I left you because I feared that I might do the deed for which you
are now in flight."

Spurling sat up astonished. "Lord!" he exclaimed, "have all men felt
like that? I've often wondered why it was that you went away that
night, leaving no message and abandoning your claim. Pray, who were
you fearful of murdering?"

"Listen. If I tell you, it may make it easier for you to believe me,
in spite of what has just happened, when I say that I sincerely want
to help you."

He was interrupted. "I suppose you know," said Spurling with a
shocking attempt at merriment, "that you are losing the thousand
dollars which has been offered for my capture alive or dead? It's only
fair to tell you that. If any man is to make a profit by my hanging,
I'd rather that the man should be a friend."

It was as though one should make an indecent jest in the presence of a
woman newly dead.

"I deserved that you should say th