'Tis his treasure, and he shall do with it as he likes: only that thou shalt have a third of it when we have sold it.' Then he: ''Tis not his treasure--no, nor yours either, but mine, for it is in my well, and I have let you get it.

Yet I will give you a half-share in it; but as for this boy, what has he to do with it?
We will give him a golden guinea, and he will be richly paid for his pains.' 'Tush,' cries Elzevir, 'let us have no more fooling; this boy shall have his share, or I will know the reason why.' 'Ay, you shall know the reason, fair enough,' answers the turnkey, 'and 'tis because your name is Block, and there is a price of 50 upon your head, and 20 upon this boy's.

You thought to outwit me, and are yourself outwitted; and here I have you in a trap, and neither leaves this room, except with hands tied, and bound for the gallows, unless I first have the jewel safe in my purse.' On that I whipped the diamond back quick into the little parchment bag, and thrust both down snug into my breeches-pocket, meaning to have a fight for it, anyway, before I let it go.

And looking up again, I saw the turnkey's hand on the butt of his pistol, and cried, 'Beware, beware! he draws on you.' But before the words were out of my mouth, the turn-key had his weapon up and levelled full at Elzevir.

'Surrender,' he cries, 'or I shoot you dead, and the 50 is mine,' and never giving time for answer, fires.