When all was still, I crept out and took Wilson's money--yes, I took it; but I flung it into the next beck.

For the moment, when I touched him I thought he was alive.

I've not been drinking hard since then, Ralph; no, nor never will again." "Ey, you'll do better than that, Robbie." Ralph said no more.

There was a long silence between the two men, until Robbie, unable to support it any longer, broke in again with, "I took it, but I flung it into the next beck." The poor fellow seemed determined to dwell upon the latter fact as in some measure an extenuation of his offence.

In his silent hours of remorse he had cherished it as one atoning circumstance.