“Simply by this. The police are on my track; let me out at the back door of the house; I can then make my escape. Now do you understand?”
“What have you been doing for the police to be after you?”
“I’ve told you. A quarrel—an assault.”
“You are a very strange man. I do not understand how you came here.”
“I’ll tell you all another time. Show me the way to the back door, and I will go at once and trouble you no more. Quick, no time is to be lost. You will do this, and heaven will reward you. But stay—here is something as a recompense for this little favour.”
He took a sovereign from his pocket, which he handed to the girl.
She drew back indignantly.
“No, sir!” she ejaculated. “I’ll have none of your money.”
“Very well,” he answered; “so be it. Trust me, I shall find the way of rewarding you some other time. Now let me out.”
“I run great risks. Suppose my master or mistress should hear us descending the stairs.”