"And you wish me to furnish them?"
"I do."
"And how large a sum do you need?"
"A pretty round sum. I will keep entirely away from this part of the country, so that you need not fear me."
"Fear you!" sneered Jaspar, rising and draining a glass of brandy. "I fear no man, no devil, no angel!"
"Perhaps you are not aware that your reputation is in my hands."
"Not at all, sir," said Jaspar, coldly.
"Know, then, that I have a copy of the genuine will, and the means of attesting it!"
Jaspar was prepared for almost anything, but this was too much. He paced the room with redoubled energy. His bravado had vanished, and he was as near pale as his bloated visage could approach to that hue. He strode up and down the room in silence, while his heart beat the reveille of fear. For a time his wonted firmness forsook him, and he felt as weak as a child, and sunk back into a chair.
By degrees he grew calmer. The case was a desperate one. Again he swallowed a long draught of brandy, which seemed to reduce his nerves to a state of subjection. Gradually he rallied the dissipated powers of his mind, and was ready to meet the emergency before him.