yed by what
he considered to be silly objections.

"Ten years are ten centuries at my time of life. You shan't denounce
me."

Garvington rose. "Yes, I shall," he declared, rendered desperate by the
dread lest he should lose the million. "I'm going to Wanbury to-night to
tell Inspector Darby and get a warrant for Miss Greeby's arrest along
with yours as her accomplice."

Silver flung himself forward and gripped Garvington's coat. "You
daren't!"

"Yes, I dare. I can't be hurt. I didn't murder the man and I'm not going
to lose a pile of money for your silly scruples."

"Oh, my lord, consider." Silver in a panic dropped on his knees. "I
shall be shut up for years; it will kill me; it will kill me! And you
don't know what a terrible and clever woman Miss Greeby is. She may deny
that I gave her the revolver and I can't prove that I did. Then I might
be accused of the crime and hanged. Hanged!" cried the poor wretch
miserably. "Oh, you'll never give me away, my lord, will you."

"Confound you, don't I risk my reputation to get the money," raged
Garvington, shaking off the trembling arms which were round his knees.
"The truth of the letter will have to come out, and then I'm dished so
far as society is concerned. I wouldn't do it--tell that is--but that
the stakes are so large. One million is waiting to be picked up and I'm
going to pick it up."

"No! no! no! no!" Silver grovelled on the floor and embraced
Garvington's feet. But the more he wailed the more insulting and
determined did the visitor become. Like all tyrants and bullies
Garvington gained strength and courage from the increased feebleness
of his victim. "Don't give me up," wept the secretary, nearly beside
himself with terror; "don't give me up."

"Oh, damn you, get out of the way!" said Garvington, and made for the
door. "I go straight to Wanbury," which statement was a lie, as he first
intended to see Mother Cockleshell at the camp and make certain that the
reward was safe. But Silver believed him and was goaded to frenzy.

"You shan't go!" he screamed, leaping to his feet, and before Garvington
knew where he was the secretary had the heavy poker in his grasp. The
little fat lord gave a cry of terror and dodged the first blow which
merely fell on his shoulder. But the second alighted on his head and
with a moan he dropped to the ground. Silver flung away the poker.

"Are you dead? are you dead?" he gasped, kneeling beside Garvington, and
placed his ha