the shaft, kneeling in
semi-darkness on its rocky floor, acknowledging his obligation,
confessing his guilt, and imploring forgiveness.

"You are the bravest man I've ever known, Mister Peril, though I've
met them as was counted brave before; but none of them would dare do
what you have this day. You have given me my life, and yet I tried
twice to take yours, for 'twas me flung that rock in the mine.
And--I'm choked with the shame of the black deed--but I gave the
signal to hoist the skip a few minutes since, and tried to leave you
here to die. I'm a coward and a murderer at heart, Mister Peril, and
the dirtiest blackguard that ever was let live. I'm not worthy of your
contempt, and yet, sir, I'm going to dare ask a favor of you."

"My dear fellow," interrupted Peveril, who was greatly moved by the
man's attitude and words of self-condemnation. "Believe me--"

"Wait, Mister Peril. Please wait, sir, till you've heard me through.
You have the right to hate me, to despise me, or even to kill me, and
I'd not lift a finger to prevent you; but I'm going to ask you to
forgive me. If you don't, I can never hold up my head or look an
honest man in the face again. If you can't forgive me I shall never
dare ask the forgiveness of God in heaven."

"I do forgive you, with all my heart," exclaimed Peveril, "and there
is my hand on it." With this he grasped the young Irishman's hand and
almost lifted him to his feet. "You have done a brave deed in coming
down here after me," he added, "while there was still danger of an
explosion, and one much braver even than that, in confessing your
faults. These two things prove that you are not a coward, and from
this time on I shall claim you as a friend."

"Thank you, Mister Peril, and may God bless you for them words," cried
Connell, in a voice choked with feeling. "As for being your friend,
sir, I'd be proud to be counted your slave."

"I would much rather have a friend than a slave," returned the other,
smiling. "And so, if you don't mind, we'll stick to the first
proposition. But, Connell, I want to ask you a question. What made you
hate me, as you seemed to do from the very first?"

"Jealousy, Mister Peril. Just black, bitter jealousy, and nothing at
all else."

"How could that be, when you didn't even know me?"

"Because, sir, I'm near crazy with love for a girl who only laughs at
me, and whose folks treat me with contempt. When I first saw you, so
strong and handsome and gentl