"Well, if you like to take matters coolly, I have no objection. These
are my terms. You have received large sums this day; those sums are in
your house, probably in that bureau; and your life is at my will."

"You ask the monies paid for rent to-day. True, they are in the house;
but they are not in my apartments. They were received by another; they
are kept by another. In vain, through the windings and passages of this
old house, would you seek to find the room in which he stores them.
In doing so you will pass by the door of a servant who sleeps so lightly
that the chances are that he will hear you; he is armed with a
blunderbuss, and with pistols. You say to me, 'Your money or your life.'
I say to you, in reply, 'Neither: attempt to seize the money, and your
own life is lost."

"Miser! I don't believe that sums so large are not in your own keeping.
And even if they are not, you shall show me where they are; you shall
lead me through those windings and passages of which you so tenderly warn
me, my hand on your throat. And if servants wake, or danger threaten me,
it is you who shall save me, or die! Ha! you do not fear me--eh, Mr.
Darrell!" And Losely rose.

"I do not fear you," replied Darrell, still seated. "I cannot conceive
that you are here with no other design than a profitless murder. You are
here, you say, to make terms; it will be time enough to see whose life is
endangered when all your propositions have been stated. As yet you have
only suggested a robbery, to which you ask me to assist you. Impossible!
Grant even that you were able to murder me, you would be just as far off
from your booty. And yet you say your terms have risen! To me they seem
fallen to nothing! Have you anything else to say?"