fact that he still lives and is at large,
and the apprehensions which mingle with her hopes, all convince me that
I'm on the right track. Well, I'll spoil a pretty love affair yet,
before it approaches its consummation. Fine girl, too, and a pity to
victimize her. Bless me, how majestic she looked; with what a queen-like
scorn she treated me, the cold, insensate intriguer, as they call me. I
begin to love her almost as much as I love her land--but, beware, Alfred
Bernard, love might betray you. My game is a bold and desperate one, but
the stake for which I play repays the risk. By God, I'll have her yet;
she shall learn to bow her proud head, and to love me too--and then the
fair fields of Windsor Hall will not be less fertile for the price which
I pay for them in a rival's blood--and such a rival. He scorned and
defied me when the overtures of peace were extended to him; let him look
to it, that in rejecting the olive, he has not planted the cypress in
its stead. Thus revenge is united with policy in the attainment of my
object, and--What are you staring at, you gaping idiot?" he cried,
seeing the big, pewter coloured eyes of Holliday fixed upon him in mute
astonishment.

"Why, Cap'n, damme if I don't believe you are talking in your sleep with
your eyes open."

"And what did you hear me say, knave?"

"Oh, nothing that will ever go the farther for my hearing it. It's all
one to me whether you're working for your country or yourself in this
matter, so long as my pretty pounds are none the less heavy and safe."

"I'm working for both, you fool," returned Bernard. "Did you ever know a
general or a patriot who did not seek to serve himself as well as his
country?"

"Well, no," retorted the soldier, "for what the world calls honour, and
what the rough soldier calls money, is at last only different kinds of
coin of the same metal."

"Well, hush your impudence," said Bernard, "and mind, not a word of what
you have heard, or you shall feel my power as well as others. In the
meantime, here is a golden key to lock your lips," and he handed the
fellow a sovereign, which he greedily accepted.

"Thank you, Cap'n," said Holliday, touching his hat and pocketing the
money; "you need not be afraid of me, for I've seen tricks in my time
worth two of that. And for the matter of taking this yellow boy, which
might look to some like hush-money, the only difference between the
patriot and me is, that he gets paid for opening his mout