"Look closer." There was an air of familiarity and rude insolence
about the man.
"Martin!" exclaimed Jasper, stepping back a few paces. "Is it
possible!"
"Quite possible, friend Jasper," returned the man, helping himself to
a chair, and sinking into it with the air of one who felt himself at
home.
Surprise and perplexity kept the merchant dumb for some moments. He
would quite as lief have been confronted with a robber, pistol in
hand.
"I do not wish to see you, Martin," said he, at length, speaking in a
severe tone of voice. "Why have you intruded on me again? Are you not
satisfied? Have you no mercy?"
"None, Leonard Jasper, none," replied the man scowling. "I never knew
the meaning of the word--no more than yourself."
"You are nothing better than a robber," said the merchant, bitterly.
"I only share with bolder robbers their richer plunder," retorted the
man.
"I will not bear this, Martin. Leave my presence."
"I will relieve you certainly," said the visitor, rising, "when you
have done for me what I wish. I arrived here, to-day, penniless; and
have called for a trifling loan to help me on my way North."
"Loan! what mockery! I will yield no further to your outrageous
demands. I was a fool ever to have feared the little power you
possess. Go, sir! I do not fear you.
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