“It would be, indeed, a lucky event for both of us, Guy, were you safely in the arms of your mother; though I have not delayed in this affair with any such hope.  God knows I should be glad, on almost any terms, to be fairly free from your eternal croakings—­never at rest, never satisfied, unless at some new deviltry and ill deed.  If I did give you the first lessons in your education, Guy, you have long since gone beyond your master; and I’m something disposed to think that Old Nick himself must have taken up your tuition, where, from want of corresponding capacity, I was compelled to leave it off.”

And the landlord laughed at his own humor, in despite of the hyena-glare shot forth from the eye of the savage he addressed.  He continued:—­

“But, Guy, I’m not for letting the youth off—­that’s as you please.  You have a grudge against him, and may settle it to your own liking and in your own way.  I have nothing to say to that.  But I am determined to do as little henceforth toward hanging myself as possible; and, therefore, the thing must not take place here.  Nor do I like that it should be done at all without some reason.  When he blabs, there’s a necessity for the thing, and self-preservation, you know, is the first law of nature.  The case will then be as much mine as yours, and I’ll lend a helping hand willingly.”

“My object, Munro, is scarcely the same with yours.  It goes beyond it; and, whether he knows much or little, or speaks nothing or everything, it is still the same thing to me.  I must have my revenge.  But, for your own safety—­are you bent on running the risk?”

“I am, Guy, rather than spill any more blood unnecessarily.  I have already shed too much, and my dreams begin to trouble me as I get older,” was the grave response of the landlord.

“And how, if he speaks out, and you have no chance either to stop his mouth or to run for it?”

“Who’ll believe him, think you?—­where’s the proof?  Do you mean to confess for both of us at the first question?”

“True—­,” said Rivers, “there would be a difficulty in conviction, but his oath would put us into some trouble.”

“I think not; our people know nothing about him, and would scarcely lend much aid to have either of us turned upon our backs,” replied Munro, without hesitation.

“Well, be it then as you say.  There is yet another subject, Munro, on which I have just as little reason to be satisfied as this.  How long will you permit this girl to trifle with us both?  Why should you care for her prayers and pleadings—­her tears and entreaties?  If you are determined upon the matter, as I have your pledge, these are childish and unavailing; and the delay can have no good end, unless it be that you do in fact look, as I have said, and as I sometimes think, for some chance to take me off, and relieve you of my importunities and from your pledges.”

“Look you, Guy, the child is my own twin-brother’s only one, and a sweet creature it is.  I must not be too hard with her; she begs time, and I must give it.”