"Look closer." There was an air of familiarity and rude insolence about the man.
"Martin!" exclaimed Jasper, stepping back a few paces. "Is it possible!"
"Quite possible, friend Jasper," returned the man, helping himself to a chair, and sinking into it with the air of one who felt himself at home.
Surprise and perplexity kept the merchant dumb for some moments. He would quite as lief have been confronted with a robber, pistol in hand.
"I do not wish to see you, Martin," said he, at length, speaking in a severe tone of voice. "Why have you intruded on me again? Are you not satisfied? Have you no mercy?"
"None, Leonard Jasper, none," replied the man scowling. "I never knew the meaning of the word—no more than yourself."
"You are nothing better than a robber," said the merchant, bitterly.
"I only share with bolder robbers their richer plunder," retorted the man.
"I will not bear this, Martin. Leave my presence."
"I will relieve you certainly," said the visitor, rising, "when you have done for me what I wish. I arrived here, to-day, penniless; and have called for a trifling loan to help me on my way North."