ways live by the
old trade, and fall upon my feet. At all events, we must leave this
place. It is little that father has saved. The neighbors think him rich,
but a drunkard never dies rich; and you know, Mr. Godfrey, that the
weight of a pig is never known until after it is dead. There will not be
much more than will bury him. There are the crops in the ground, to be
sure, and the cattle, and a few sticks of furniture; but debts of honor
must be paid, and I have been very unlucky of late. By the by, Master
Godfrey, what does your cousin mean to do with himself?"

"He must go home to his miserly dad, I suppose."

"Humph! I think that I will go to Ashton and settle in that neighborhood
myself; I like to be near old friends."

"What can induce _you_, Mathews, to go there?"

"I have my reasons. Strong reasons too, in which I am sure _you_ will
heartily concur." He looked into his companion's eyes, with an
expression so peculiar, that Godfrey started as if some new light had
suddenly flashed upon his soul, while Mathews continued in a lower
voice, "Suppose, now that we could get up a regular quarrel between old
Ironsides and his son; who would then be the miser's heir?"

Godfrey took the hand of the smuggler and pressed it hard.

"Can you form no better scheme than that?"

"I understand you, Mr. Godfrey. You are a perfect genius in wickedness.
The devil never found a fitter agent for doing his business on a grand
scale. Yes, yes, I understand you."

"Would it be possible?"

"All things are possible to those who have the courage to perform. If I
could remove this obstacle out of your way, what would be my reward?"

"A thousand pounds!"

"Your conscience! Do you think that I would risk my neck for such a
paltry bribe?"

"You have done it often for the hundredth part."

"That's neither here nor there. If I have played the fool a dozen times,
that's no reason that I am to do so again. Go shares, and promise to
make an honest woman of Mary, and you shall not be long out of
possession."

"The sacrifice is too great," said Godfrey, musing. "Let us say no more
about it at present."

"You will think about it?"

"Thoughts are free."

"Not exactly. Evil thoughts lead to evil deeds, as surely as fruit
follows flowers upon the tree. Try to lay that babe of the brain to
rest, and see if it will not waken to plague you yet."

"It was one of your own begetting--you should know best how to quiet the
imp."

"Leave me