you farewell, an' then look to yourselves."

"It's not mine," said Rody; "if Nell shares it, I have no objection."

"I'd give the villain the price of a rope first," she replied.

"Then I am off," said the fellow, "an' you'll curse your conduct."

Nell flew between him and the door, and in his struggle to get out,
she grasped at the dagger, but failed in securing it. Rody advanced to
separate them, as did Nanse, but the fellow by a strong effort attempted
to free himself. The three were now upon him, and would have easily
succeeded in preventing his escape had it not occurred to him that by
one blow he might secure the whole sum. This was instantly directed at
Rody, by a back thrust, for he stood behind him. By the rapid change of
their positions, however, the breast of Nell M'Collum received the stab
that was designed for another.

A short violent shriek followed, as she staggered back and fell.

"Staunch the blood," she exclaimed, "staunch the blood, an' there may be
a chance of life yet."

The man threw the dagger down, and was in the act of rushing out, when
the door opened, and a posse of constables entered the house. Nell's
face became at once ghastly and horror-stricken, for she found that the
blood could not be staunched, and that, in fact, eternity was about to
open upon her.

"Secure him!" said Nell, pointing to her murderer, "secure him, an' send