"I don't know, Deïko.

Tell me what's best."

Come, you know the Turks' weakness. You must give them something; it's the only way to get out of it: else they'll drag you from one court-house to another till you're utterly ruined. Poor old Stoïko could have spared himself this with a trifle. Give, Tsanko! give 'em your white silver to keep off black sorrow."

His wife came too, weeping bitterly:

"Let's give them what we can! Never mind, Tsanko: it's the only way to get out of the murderers' hands. They've killed poor old Stoïko. Dear, dear! to think I should live to see it." "But what are we to give, wife? You know we haven't any money."

"Let's give the necklace!"

"What! Donka's necklace, with the coins?»

"Yes, yes! it's all we have, it's the only way to get rid of them. Why, they're asking for Donka now-the cursed brutes!" "Do what God thinks best, wife. I'm all in a muddle,” muttered Tsanko from his prison.

His wife and Deïko went away.

Soon after, a light shone through the chinks in the boards of the closet, and the door was unlocked.

"The Agas

"Come out, Tsanko: you're free," said Deïko. were good fellows after all. They've given you back the knife as well; so there's no cause for fear. You've got off cheap." And bending to his ear, he whispered low:

"It can't last much longer: either they'll finish us off, or we must them. This life can't go on like this."