equally in our hands.
It is only an economy of testimony I'm studying here, and I reserve my
other blackguards for occasions of more moment."

The taunt would appear an ill-timed one at such a minute; but Hemsworth
knew well the temperament of him he addressed, and did not utter a
syllable at random. Lanty still preserved silence, and looked as though
doggedly determined to let the minutes elapse without speaking; his head
slightly sunk on his chest, his eyes bent downwards, he sat perfectly
motionless. Hemsworth meanwhile refilled his glass, crossed his arms
before him, and seemed awaiting, without impatience, the result of
the other's deliberation. At length the hand approached the figure; it
wanted but about half a minute of the time, and Hems-worth, taking up
the watch from the table, held it before Lanty's eyes, as he said--

"Time is nearly up, Master Lawler; do you refuse?"

"I only ask one condition," said Lanty, in a faint whisper.

"You shall make no bargains: the letters, or------. It is too late now;"
and with these words he replaced his watch in his pocket, and rose from
the table.

Lanty never moved a muscle, while Hemsworth approached the fireplace,
and rang the bell. In doing so, he turned his back to the horse-dealer,
but commanded a view of him through means of the little glass above the
chimney. He stood thus for a few seconds, when Lanty--in whose flashing
eyes, and darkened colour, inward rage was depicted--suddenly thrust his
arm into the breast of his coat. Hems-worth turned round at once,
and seizing the arm in his powerful grasp, said in a cool, determined
voice--

"No, no, Lanty; I'm armed, too.

"It was the pocket-book I was feeling for, sir," said Lanty, with a
sickly effort at a smile, while he drew forth a black leather case,
and handed it towards Hemsworth. "They are all there--seventeen
letters--besides two French commissions, signed by young Mark, and a
receipt for four hundred pounds in French gold."

"You must find it hard to get bullets for those pistols I gave you,
Lanty," said Hemsworth, in a tranquil voice. "I forgot to let you have
the bullet-mould with them. Remind me of it to-morrow or next day."

Lanty muttered a faint "I will," but looked the very picture of abject
misery as he spoke.

"Let me see them, Lanty," said Hemsworth, in a manner, as calm and
unconcerned as could be. "If I don't mistake, they are nearly a quarter
of an inch in the bore."

"About that sam