'I see you have kept your word, David Moore! You have murdered your enemy!'

All in vain I protested my innocence. He only laughed at me, jeered at my agony with diabolical glee.

'You will be hanged,' he said. 'Of course, you realize that, David Moore.'

'I would not care for my life--what became of me--if it were not for Bernardine!' I moaned, wildly.

'Yes, it is a pity for Bernardine,' he made answer. 'I am sorry for you on her account. How sad it will be to see you torn away from her, and she all alone in the world! Moore,' he hissed, close to my ear, 'for her sake, and upon one condition, I will save you from the gallows. No one but me has seen you bending over the murdered man with that knife in your hand. If I keep silent, no one can prove the crime was done by you. Do you comprehend--do you realize of what vital interest that which I am saying is to you?'

'Yes,' I answered in a choked, awful voice. 'But the condition! What have I, a poor, penniless basket-maker, even at this moment owing you money--what have I which you, the son of a rich father, would stoop to accept?' I cried in the utmost despair. He stooped nearer, and whispered in my ear:

'You have a treasure which I long to possess. Give me Bernardine. I--I will marry the girl, and will forever hold my peace. It will save you from prison. Think and act quickly, man. You can make the girl accept me if she should desire to refuse.'

I heard the whistle of an advancing policeman coming leisurely along his beat. Another moment and he would turn the corner where I stood almost paralyzed.

'Speak, man!' cried Jasper Wilde. 'Am I to save you, or call the officer to arrest you? Am I to get Bernardine, or not?'

"Oh, child! forgive me--pity me! Life to an old man even like me is sweet. I could almost feel the rope of the gallows tightening about my poor old throat, and I--oh, God, pity me--I promised him, Bernardine.

'Save me, and Bernardine shall marry you!' I cried; 'only save me!  Don't call the police, for the love of Heaven!'

'Then fly!' he cried, shrilly. 'Take the knife with you; go as quickly as you can to my rooms, back of my place, and there I will give you something to wear until you can get home!'

I made my way to his place, as he directed. He 

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