"Simply because I think that I can get something out of you. I am poor; 'dead broke' won't express my condition."
"And if you can levy blackmail upon me, you will be satisfied?"
"For a time, yes."
CHAPTER VI.
THE CONFIDENCE GAME.
"You never were a good man," said Mrs. Smithers, looking down at the floor and moving her foot restlessly, "but I didn't think you would have become so bad as you have. However, I shall have to make a compromise with you. Name your terms."
"Now you're talking," answered Thompson, with a smile of satisfaction. "In the first place, I want all the money and jewelry you can lay your hands on. You can say the house was robbed."
"Yes, you shall have all," Mrs. Smithers replied.
"Secondly, I must have Tommy."
"For what?"