at the door below, and concluding that 'tis his wife, who has had occasion to go out, seeking fresh air for her comfort maybe, he runs swiftly down and opens, ere a servant can answer the call. And there he is faced, not by sweet Moll, but the jaundiced, wicked old Simon, gasping and panting for breath.
"Dost thee know," says he, fetching his breath at every other word, "dost thee know where the woman thy wife is?"
"Where is she?" cries Mr. Godwin, in quick alarm, thinking by this fellow's sweating haste that some accident had befallen his dear wife.
"I will show thee where she is; aye, and what she is," gasps the old man, and then, clasping his hands, he adds, "Verily, the Lord hath heard my prayers and delivered mine enemies into my hand."
Mr. Godwin, who had stepped aside to catch up his hat from the table, where he had flung it on entering, stopped short, hearing this fervent note of praise, and turning about, with misgivings of Simon's purpose, cries:
"What are your enemies to me?"
"Everything," cries Simon. "Mine enemies are thine, for as they have cheated me so have they cheated thee."
"Enough of this," cries Mr. Godwin. "Tell me where my wife is, and be done with it."
"I say I will show thee where she is and what she is."
"Tell me where she is," cries Mr. Godwin, with passion.
"That is my secret, and too precious to throw away."
"I comprehend you, now," says Mr. Godwin, bethinking him of the fellow's greed. "You shall be paid. Tell me where she is and name your price."
"The price is this," returns the other, "thy promise to
