always find me when at the worst of your troubles. And so, Jasper, it
shall be till this right hand of yours is powerless as the clay at our
feet. Walk--walk; you are not afraid of me?--walk on, tell me all.
Where have you just been?"

Jasper, therewith reminded of his wrongs, poured out a volley of abuse on
Poole, communicating to Mrs. Crane the whole story of his claims on that
gentleman--the loss of the pocket-book filched from him, and Poole's
knowledge that he was thus disarmed.

"And the coward," said he, grinding his teeth, "got out of his window
--and three policemen in his garden. He must have bribed a pickpocket--
low knave that he is. But I shall find out--and then--"

"And then, Jasper, how will you be better off?--the letters are gone; and
Poole has you in his power if you threaten him again. Now, hark you; you
did not murder the Italian who was found stabbed in the fields yonder a
week ago; L100 reward for the murderer?"

"I--no. How coldly you ask! I have hit hard in fair fight; murdered--
never. If ever I take to that, I shall begin with Poole."

"But I tell you, Jasper, that you are suspected of that murder; that you
will be accused of that murder; and if I had not thus fortunately met
you, for that murder you would be tried and hanged."

"Are you serious? Who could accuse me?"

"Those who know that you are not guilty--those who could make you appear
so--the villains with whom you horde, and drink and brawl! Have I ever