"Are you speaking from experience, madame? It was not so in your case,
I believe."
Mrs. Hampton made no reply. Her eyes dropped, and, her face flushed.
Grimsby knew that the thrust had gone home, and he again smiled.
"You understand, I see," he continued. "That is the only thing, madame, which will cause me to keep your secret."
"And if I don't give you anything?"
"You will have to take the consequences. Are you willing to do that?"
"No, no! This must never be known. How much do you want? Tell me quick, and let us get through with this terrible business."
"I am quite as anxious as you are, madame. The amount depends upon how much you are prepared to give."
"You want me to mortgage this place, I suppose. You will not be satisfied with a small amount."
"Indeed I shall. Surely you must have some money on hand now. That will be sufficient for the present. Then, when you sell your mine, you might remember your benefactor."
"Benefactor! Robber you should say," Mrs. Hampton indignantly retorted. "To think that I should be held up by such a person as you. But it cannot be helped, I suppose. Will one hundred dollars satisfy you? It is all I have."