'Get me some gin;' and Cross nearly fell into his chair as Dave stepped up to him.
'Get me some gin, I say; quick!'
Dave immediately drew a tumbler of the clear liquor, and his father taking it with both hands, with difficulty put it to his mouth, so violent was his agitation; he accomplished it, however, and did not stop until the glass was empty. Drawing a long breath, he handed back the glass.
'Go sit down; I'll be better directly.' Some moments elapsed before he could resume the conversation.
'Who has Bill Brown told that lie to?'
'He has told it to his sister; whether it's a lie or not, I can't say. I shouldn't think he would be like to lie just now, with one foot in the grave.'
Cross saw too clearly that his villany was fully exposed; he sat apparently stunned by the perils which now hovered over him. David at last broke silence.
'The best thing to be done is, to give Rutherford back his deed.'
'That can't be done; I have not got it, nor has it ever been in my hands. There is only one thing that can be of any use now, and that is to stop the mouths of that family; you can easily do that by marrying the daughter.'
'It takes two to make such a bargain as that.'