He took a small stick about half as large round as his wrist, and opening the stove-door, put it in.
"That'll do to begin with," said the stranger, following it, to Peter's dismay, with half a dozen larger ones. "Now we'll be comfortable."
IV.
A STARTLING QUESTION.
While Peter's uneasiness became every moment more marked, his visitor continued,—
"This sad defalcation was the more unfortunate because, on that very day notes to a heavy amount became due. Of course the merchant was unable to pay them. Do you know what was the result?"
"How should I know?" asked Peter, testily, avoiding the gaze of the stranger, and fixing his eyes uneasily upon the fire.
"Of course you couldn't know, I was foolish to think such a thing."
"Then what made you think it?" said Peter, in a petulant tone. "I don't care to hear your story. What has it got to do with me?"