VING IT OUT.

"Now," said Vane, after sitting, panting for a few minutes, "I came out
to-day on purpose to find you, and ask you to shake hands. Glad I got
here in time to help you. Shake hands, now."

"No," said Distin, slowly; "I can't do that."

"Nonsense! I say these two have got it. Why not?"

"Because," said Distin, with almost a groan, "I'm not fit. My hands are
not clean."

"Wash 'em then, or never mind."

"You know what I mean," said Distin. "What they said was true."

Vane stared at him in astonishment.

"Yes, it's quite true," said Distin, bitterly. "I've behaved like a
blackguard."

Just at that moment, the top gipsy began to struggle, and Vane gave him
a tremendous clout on the ear.

"Lie still or I'll knock your head off," he cried, fiercely.

"You don't mean to say you set these two brutes to knock me about with
sticks?"

"Yes, he did," cried the top boy.

"Yes, I did," said Distin, after making an effort as if to swallow
something. "I paid them, and they have pestered me for money ever
since. They sent to me to-day to come out to them, and I gave them
more, but they were not satisfied and were knocking me about when you
came."

The lower prisoner now began to complain, and with cause, for his
brother was lying across his chest, so that he had the weight of two to
bear; but Vane reached down suddenly and placed his fist on the lad's
nose, with a heavy grinding motion.

"You dare to move, that's all," he growled, threateningly, and the lad
drew a deep breath, and lay still, while Distin went on as if something
within him were forcing this confession.

"There," he said, "it's all over now. They've kept out of sight of the
police all this time, and sent messages to me from where they were in
hiding, and I've had to come and pay them. I've been like a slave to
them, and they've degraded me till I've felt as if I couldn't bear it."

"And all for what?" said Vane, angrily. "I never did you any harm."

"I couldn't help it," said Distin. "I hated you, I suppose. I tell
you, I've behaved like a blackguard, and I suppose I shall be punished
for it, but I'd rather it was so than go on like I have lately."

"Look here," cried Vane, savagely, and he raised himself up a little as
if he were riding on horseback, and then nipped his human steed with his
knees, and bumped himself down so heavily that both the gipsy lads
yelled. "Yes, I meant to hurt you. I say, look here, I know wha