"That's pretty hard talk," said one of the company.

"I don't care if it is. It's the truth. What else could he
expect?"

"A man like Joe is to be pitied," remarked the other.

"I pity his family," said Slade.

"Especially little Mary." The words were uttered tauntingly, and
produced murmurs of satisfaction throughout the room.

Slade started back from where he stood, in an impatient manner,
saying something that I did not hear.

"Look here, Simon, I heard some strong suggestions over at Lawyer
Phillips' office to-day."

Slade turned his eyes upon the speaker.

"If that child should die, you'll probably have to stand a trial
for man-slaughter."

"No--girl-slaughter," said Harvey Green, with a cold, inhuman
chuckle.

"But I'm in earnest." said the other. "Mr. Phillips said that a
case could be made out of it."