"Not enough!" exclaimed Mrs. Middleton, with a look of displeasure. "Why, it seems to me very liberal. You can live comfortably all your life just for doing one thing."
"A thing which may bring me to the gallows. It's all very well to talk, but I can't risk my neck for that."
The lady was not surprised. She had expected that she would be compelled to drive a bargain, and and she had named a sum less than she was willing to pay.
"You see," continued Rudolph, "it's going to be a great thing for you. You'll be sure of a big estate and an income of two thousand pounds—that's ten thousand dollars—a year, and it'll be me that gives it to you."
"You overestimate your services, Mr. Rugg," she said, coldly. "If I decline to proceed further the estate will be mine."
"Not if I bring on the boy, and say he's the real heir."
"I shall deny it," said the lady, composedly, "and challenge you to the proof."
"You will?" queried the tramp, disconcerted.
"Of course I shall."