Jones made no effort to resist the jerk at his arm with which Grosket accompanied his words, but quietly rose, and said:
‘Well, he drove me to it. He may thank you for his life, not me.’
Relieved from his antagonist, Rust recovered his feet, and turning to Grosket said, in a sneering tone:
‘Michael Rust thanks Enoch for having used his influence with his friend, to prevent the commission of a crime which might have made both Enoch and his crony familiar with a gallows. A select circle of acquaintance friend Enoch has.’
Grosket, quietly, pointed to the closet and said:
‘You forget that I have been there ever since you came in the room; and have overheard every thing that passed between you and my friend.’
Rust bit his lip.
‘Don’t let it annoy you,’ continued he, ‘for the most of what I heard I knew before. I have had my eye on you from the time we parted. With all your benevolent schemes respecting myself I am perfectly familiar. The debt which you bought up to arrest me on; your attempt to have me indicted on a false charge of felony; the quiet hint dropped in another quarter, that if I should be found with my throat cut, or a bullet in my head, you wouldn’t break your heart; I knew them all; but I did not avail myself of the law. Shall I tell you why, Michael Rust? Because I had a revenge sweeter than the law could give.’
‘Friend Enoch is welcome to it when he gets it,’ replied Rust, in a soft tone. ‘But the day when it will come is far off.’
‘The day is at hand,’ replied Grosket. ‘It is here: it is now. Not for a mine of gold would I forego what I now know; not for any thing that is dear in the world’s eyes, would I spare you one pang that I can now inflict.’