"Well, now, I haven’t said so exactly. Only just try to look at it from the jury’s angle."
Rosalind choked and sat down. Her fears—fears that she had been trying to smother all afternoon—were realized. This was blackmail!
The boatman continued to smoke, unruffled. There was silence for a full minute.
"I suppose we’re all through talking," he observed finally.
"What you have just hinted at is despicable, wicked—depraved! It’s beyond belief. You are contemptible enough to take advantage of an entirely innocent situation to make trouble—for a woman! Of course, with you it’s entirely a question of money. Therefore, how much?"
"Never mind; I’ll put the thing plainly, if you wish. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, I engaged you as a boatman last night. Through a second series of circumstances it became impossible for me to announce my arrival at Mr. Witherbee’s in the usual manner. Through still another series I had the misfortune to become involved in an affair which you very well know was none of mine.
"You are a thief; I am not. It happens, however, that I cannot afford to have my name in any way, either directly or indirectly, connected with the escapades of a burglar. The probability is, if you continue to remain in this neighborhood you will be captured. If that event does occur, you undoubtedly have it in mind to drag me into the affair. Therefore, how much?"
"How much’ll you give?" he inquired cautiously.
Rosalind was nonplused. She was not versed in the payment of hush-money. She had no idea whatever concerning the usual rates of compensation.
"I haven’t more than about fifty dollars with me," she said.
"Fifty, eh? Um! Well, now, suppose I say I don’t want anything, ma’am?"
"I mean if I took it, why, it would seem like cutting loose from a pal. And I don’t—"
She paused midway in the sentence. She did not know what she had a mind to do, to tell the truth. Rosalind was completely dismayed. He meant to hold this thing over her; to terrorize her; perhaps—she turned cold at the thought—to attempt to employ her in some new lawless raid!
"Don’t worry, ma’am," he said as if reading her thoughts. "I won’t say a word to anybody. Lord! I wouldn’t tell on you; I just _can’t_, you see. That being the case, what’s the use of my taking your money in that fashion and only creating bad feeling between us?"