ty added to sympathy in the ejaculation.

"That's it. Given it up," added the visitor. He took from his pocket a
roll of banknotes, and with the utmost deliberation he counted them out
upon his knee. "Five thousand dollars," he calmly remarked. "That is
for you. It's all I have; but I presume--I imagine--no; that is not the
word--_assume_--yes; that's the word--assume that five thousand--is it
really that much? Let me count." He counted again. "That five thousand
dollars is a sufficient fee for what I want you to do."

The surgeon's lips curled pityingly--perhaps disdainfully also. "What
do you want me to do?" he carelessly inquired.

The young man rose, looked around with a mysterious air, approached the
surgeon, and laid the money across his knee. Then he stooped and
whispered two words in the surgeon's ear.

These words produced an electric effect. The old man started violently;
then, springing to his feet, he caught his visitor angrily, and
transfixed him with a look that was as sharp as a knife. His eyes
flashed, and he opened his mouth to give utterance to some harsh
imprecation, when he suddenly checked himself. The anger left his face,
and only pity remained. He relinquished his grasp, picked up the
scattered notes, and, offering them to the visitor, slowly said:

"I do not want your money. You are simply foolish. You think you are in
trouble. Well, you do not know what trouble is. Your only trouble is
that you have not a trace of manhood in your nature. You are merely
insane--I shall not say pusillanimous. You should surrender yourself to
the authorities, and be sent to a lunatic asylum for proper treatment."

The young man keenly felt the intended insult, and his eyes flashed
dangerously.

"You old dog--you insult me thus!" he cried. "Grand airs, these, you
give yourself! Virtuously indignant, old murderer, you! Don't want my
money, eh? When a man comes to you himself and wants it done, you fly
into a passion and spurn his money; but let an enemy of his come and
pay you, and you are only too willing. How many such jobs have you done
in this miserable old hole? It is a good thing for you that the police
have not run you down, and brought spade and shovel with them. Do you
know what is said of you? Do you think you have kept your windows so
closely shut that no sound has ever penetrated beyond them? Where do
you keep your infernal implements?"

He had worked himself into a high passion. His voice was hoa