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IN EVIL PLIGHT 185

of the men who were fools enough to get themselves killed,
but if I hear any grumbling from the others it will be worse
for them; there is not one I could not lay by the heels in
jail. Well, as to this young fellow, I shall not come again,
I do not want to be noticed coming here. Keep a shrewd
look-out after him.”

“There is no fear about that,” the man said; “it will be
long ere he is strong enough to walk.”

“When he gets better, we will have him taken. away to a
safe place outside the town; once there, I can make him
say what I like.”

“ And if he does not get well?”

“In that case we will take away his body and bury it
outside. I will see to that myself.”

“T understand,” the other sneered. “You don’t want
anyone to know where it is buried, so as to be able to bring
it up against you.”

“You attend to your own business,” the Jew said angrily.
“Why should I care about what they say? At any rate
there are some matters between you and me, and there is
no fear of your speaking.”

“Not until the time comes when I may think it worth
my while to throw away my life in order to secure your
death, Ben Soloman.”

“Tt is of no use talking like that,” the Jew said quietly;
“we are useful to each other. I have saved your life from
the gibbet, you have done the work I required. Between
us, it is worse than childish to threaten in the present mat-
ter. I do not doubt that you will do your business well,
and you know that you will be well paid for it; what can
either of us require more?”

Charlie would have given a good deal to understand the
conversation, and he would have been specially glad to
learn that Stanislas had escaped with his life; for he had
taken a great fancy to the young Lithuanian, and was