"Likely to be of service in connection with it?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Humph! Is this clue which you have of value?"
"To you, yes."
"Of pecuniary value, I mean?"
"Yes, it is valuable."
"Then why did you not sell it instead of giving it to me for fifty pounds?"
"Sir," said Mrs. Belk, coldly, "I am an honest woman. The thing is not mine to sell. Money obtained dishonestly brings no good luck, and as this money is for my son, I do not wish it to be cursed."
"The fifty pounds I now give you may be the price of a man's blood. You are strangely scrupulous. You will not steal, but you will hang a man."
"If he is guilty he deserves to die. Credit rather than blame is mine for handing him over to justice."