"Rudolph Rugg," she said, "do you want to be comfortable for life?"
"Yes, ma'am, that's exactly what I do want. I've been wanting it ever since I was old enough to know the power of money, but it has never come to me."
"It will come to you now if you say the word," she said.
"I'll say it quick enough. Tell me what you want."
"You talk like a sensible man. But first tell me, is the boy living?"
She frowned slightly, as if the intelligence didn't please her.
It was false, of course, but he thought it was for his interest to answer in the affirmative.
"Very well, you know where he is. That is important. Now, in order that you may understand what service I want of you, I must tell you a little of my circumstances. I told you that my husband left me the estate."
"For the boy?" asked the tramp, in excitement.
"To think that Tony, the tramp, should be the owner of a splendid estate in old Hingland, and not know anything about it."
"I am the owner," said the lady, frowning.
"But you're only takin' care of it for him."
"I don't mean that he shall ever know it."
"I wish you would forbear whistling in the presence of a lady. It is unmannerly," said Mrs. Middleton, annoyed.
"I ain't much used to associating with ladies," said the tramp.
"Bear it in mind, then," she said, sharply. "Now to business."
"My husband secured the inheritance, as you are aware, through the disappearance of his young cousin. And mighty well he managed it.
"But after he fell into ill health, and was given over by the doctors, he became a prey to superstitious fears, the result of his weakness, and at times experienced great regret for the hand he had in the abduction of the boy."
"You surprise me, ma'am. He wasn't that sort when I knew him."
"No; he was then in perfect health, and was bold and resolute. Ill health and the approach of death made him superstitious."
"You ain't that way, ma'am, I take it," said Rudolph, with a leer.
"No; I have a stronger will and greater resolution, I hope."
Her face did not belie her words. There was a cold look in her light-gray eyes, and a firmness in her closely-pressed lips, which made it clear that she was not likely to be affected by ordinary weakness. She was intensely selfish, and thoroughly unscrupulous as to the means which she employed to carry out her selfish ends.