you. There are fellows prowling
about on every side to scrape up information about this affair; and as,
in some unguarded moment, when a glass too much has made the tongue run
freely, any man may say things, to explain which away afterwards he is
often led to go too far--You understand me, Tom?"

"I do, sir," said the other, nodding shortly.

"It was on that account I came down here to-day, Tom. The trial is fixed
for the 15th: now, the time is so short between this and that, you can
surely keep a strict watch over yourself till 'all is over'?"

"And what then, sir?" asked Tom, with a cunning glance beneath his
brows.

"After that," rejoined Linton, affecting to mistake the meaning of
the question--"after that, the law takes its course, and you trouble
yourself no more on the matter."

"And is that all, Mr. Linton?--is that all?" asked the man, as, freeing
himself from the other's arm, he drew himself up to his full height, and
stood directly in front of him.

"I must own, Tom, that I don't understand your question."

"I'll make it plain and azy for you, then," said Keane, with a hardened
determination in his manner. "'T was you yourself put me up to this
business. 'T was you that left the pistol in my possession. 'T was you
that towld me how it was to be done, and where to do it; and"--here
his voice became deep, thick, and guttural with passion--"and, by the
'mortal God! if I 'm to hang for it, so will you too."

"Hang!" exclaimed Linton. "Who talks of hanging? or what possible danger
do you run--except, indeed, what your own indiscreet tongue may bring
upon you?"

"Is n't it as good to die on the gallows as on the roadside?" asked the
other, fiercely. "What betther am I for what I done, tell me that?"

"I have told you before, and I tell you again, that when 'all is over'
you shall be amply provided for."

"And why not before?" said he, almost insolently.

"If you must know the reason," said Linton, affecting a smile, "you
shall hear it. Your incaution would make you at once the object of
suspicion, were you to be seen with money at command as freely as you
will have it hereafter."

"Will you give me that in writin'?--will you give it to me undher your
hand?" asked Keane, boldly.

"Of course I will," said Linton, who was too subtle a tactician to
hesitate about a pledge which could not be exacted on the instant.

"That's what I call talkin fair," said Keane; "an', by my sowl, it's the
best of your