explaining, and to save Dr. Whacker's face he played the hypocrite.
"It is very noble in you - very brotherly, as between men of medicine.
It is what I myself should wish to do in like case."

The hard eyes flashed, the husky voice grew tremulous as the other
asked almost too eagerly:

"You agree, then? You agree?"

"Agree?" Blood laughed. "If I should be caught and brought back,
they'd clip my wings and brand me for life."

"Surely the thing is worth a little risk?" More tremulous than ever
was the tempter's voice.

"Surely," Blood agreed. "But it asks more than courage. It asks
money. A sloop might be bought for twenty pounds, perhaps."

"It shall be forthcoming. It shall be a loan, which you shall repay
us - repay me, when you can."

That betraying "us" so hastily retrieved completed Blood's
understanding. The other doctor was also in the business.

They were approaching the peopled part of the mole. Quickly, but
eloquently, Blood expressed his thanks, where he knew that no thanks
were due.

"We will talk of this again, sir - to-morrow," he concluded. "You
have opened for me the gates of hope."