You here?” he gasped.
Yes, Ben, it’s me. May I come in?”
“No, no!” ejaculated the old man hastily.
I think I must,” returned the tramp, in the same mocking tone. “I came to see you as an old friend, but I never dreamed you were so rich.”
“Rich!” repeated Ben. “I’m very poor.”
“That looks like it.”
“It’s only a few dollars—enough to bury me.”
“Very well, Ben, I’ll take charge of it, and when you need burial I’ll attend to it. That’s fair, isn’t it?”
Rudolph, who had paused outside, now raised the window to its full height, and, despite the old man’s terrified exclamations, bounded lightly into the room.
Help! help! thieves!” screamed Ben.