"You—you scoundrel! Old as I am, I'll live to see you hanged!"
By this time the visitor had become angry. He gave the old man a push which laid him on his back, for he had little or no strength.
Thomas Nixon began to cry out, "Help! Murder! Thieves!" so that his nephew became alarmed.
"If you don't stop your yelping I'll choke you!" he exclaimed.
But the old man continued crying out.
Finally Ralph lost patience, and grasped the old man by the throat, nearly choking him.
"Will no one help me?" he cried, feebly, as soon as the grasp was somewhat relaxed.
"No; there is no one within hearing!" said Ralph. "Give me half of these gold pieces and I will go away and never trouble you again."
"No, no!" screamed the old man. "I won't give you one!"
"Then I shall have to help myself," said Ralph, coolly, and this he proceeded to do.