Kornicker than the most eloquent language.

'What have you done?' demanded he, earnestly; 'I'll _tell_ you what you
did. When I was at low water mark, with scarce a rag to my back or a crust
to my stomach, and without a prospect of getting one, you took me by the
hand, and in a d----d gentlemanly way gave me a h'ist out of the gutter.
_That's_ what you did; and if you _did_ flare up now and then, and haul me
over the coals; it was soon over, and soon forgotten. I don't bear malice,
old fellow; no, no. It isn't my way; and as you're in trouble now, if I
_can_ help you, I _will_. Never desert any one; am unfortunately bloody
short of cash; but you can have what I've got, and when I get more, you
shall have _that_ too.'

As he spoke, he plunged his hand to the bottom of his pocket, drew out a
very shabby-looking pocket-book, deposited it on the table.

'It isn't much; but you'll find it useful here, and you're welcome to it.
This isn't the shop where nothing put out at interest produces a heavy
income.'

This offer had a powerful effect upon Rust; and it seemed as if some long
dormant feelings were working their way to the surface from the depths of
his heart. He gazed earnestly at his clerk, and once or twice opened his
mouth to speak; but finally he got up, and taking the pocket-book from the
table, handed it back to Kornicker, saying:

'I'm not in want of money. Gold is but dross _now_. I've plenty of it; but
its value in my eyes is gone.'

'But,' remonstrated Kornicker, holding his hands behind him, and looking
obstinately in another direction, partly to avoid taking the pocket-book
and partly to resist the solicitations of his own necessities, which were
strenuously urging him to do so, 'but you may want a lawyer to fight for
you at your trial.'

'For that farce I am prepared. I _have_ one. He's paid for it, and he'll
fight,' said Rust. 'It will avail nothing, for I did slay the man. It was
a cold-blooded, deliberate murder. I planned it; I went up to that place
with the stern determination to commit it; and I _did_ commit it. It was
no hasty act, done in a moment of fierce and sudden passion; but a deed
duly and deliberately meditated, and one that I would repeat. What _he_
had done, it's useless to mention. I had no redress, except what my own
hand could give me. He has paid his forfeit, and I'll pay mine. I'll fight
to the last; because,' added he, with that expression of stern purpose
which so often settle