“One thing is certain,” replied Miss Post quietly resuming her work, “the money we depended on must be paid within an hour, or that young man will come up missing at the examination.”
Miss Spicer started to her feet, and flushed angrily, feeling herself coarsely coerced.
“Ellen Post, I have made you a promise and it shall be performed. It seems that we cannot trust each other. Let that young man go on and I will pay you half the money now, the rest when these people are convicted, not a cent more. Take your choice, a check for two thousand five hundred now, the rest to abide the result of a trial, or nothing. Which will you have?”
“The check,” said Ellen Post, still going on with her work with a leisurely motion.
Miss Spicer left the room without a word. Ellen Post worked faster, and her needle flew. This was all the sign of excitement that she gave.
Directly the young lady came down again with a check fluttering in her hand. She flung it into the waiting maid’s lap.
“Will that do?”
Ellen took the check up, and examined it closely.
“Yes, it will do,” she said, “thanks!”
Miss Spicer flung herself out of the room.