The String of Pearls (1850), p. 123

stern, yet I did not think he intended such wickedness; but he thinks to rob me of all my property; yes, that is the object he has in sending me here.'
"'No doubt,' said I.
"'Shall I ever get out? ' she inquired, in a pitiful tone; 'do not say my life is to be spent here!'
"'Indeed it is,' said I; 'while he lives, you will never leave these walls.'
"'He shall not attain his end, for I have deeds about me that he will never be able to obtain; indeed, he may kill me, but he cannot benefit by my death.'
"'Well,' said I, 'it serves him right. And how did you manage that matter? how did you contrive to get the deeds away?'
"'Never mind that; it is a small deed, and I have secured it. I did not think he would have done this thing; but he may yet relent. Will you aid me? I shall be rich, and can pay you well.'
"'But your brother,' said I.
"'Oh, he is rich without mine, but he is over-avaricious; but say you will help me—only help me to get out, and you shall be no loser by the affair.'
"'Very well,' said I. 'Will you give me this deed as a security that you will keep your word?'
"'Yes,' she replied, drawing forth the deed—a small parchment—from her bosom. 'Take it; and now let me out. You shall be handsomely rewarded.'
"'Ah!' said I; 'but you must allow me first to settle this matter with my employers. You must really be mad. We do not hear of young ladies carrying deeds and parchments about them when they are in their senses.'
"'You do not mean to betray me?' she said, springing up wildly and rushing towards the deed, which I carefully placed in my breast coat-pocket.'
"'Oh dear no! but I shall retain the deed, and speak to your brother about this matter.'
"'My God ! my God!' she exclaimed, and then she sank back on her bed, and in another moment she was covered with blood. She had burst a blood-vessel. I sent for a surgeon and physician, and they both gave it as their opinion that she could not be saved, and that a few hours would see the last of her. This was the fact. She was dead before another half hour, and then I sent to the authorities for the purpose of burial; and, producing the certificate of the medical men, I had no difficulty, and she was buried all comfortably without any trouble.
" 'Well,' thought I ' this is a very comfortable affair; but it will be more profitable than I had any idea of, and I must get ray first reward first, and if there should be any difficulty, I have the deed to fall back upon. He came down next day, and appeared with rather a long face.
"'Well,' said he, 'how do matters go on here?'
"'Very well,' said I, 'how is your throat?'
"I thought he cast a malicious look at me, as much as to imply he laid it all to my charge.
"'Pretty well,' he replied; 'but I was ill for three days. How is the patient?'
"'As well as you could possibly wish,' said I.
"'She takes it kindly, eh? Well, I hardly expected it#8212;but no matter. She'll be a long while on hand, I perceive. You haven't tried the frightening system yet, then?'
"'Hadn't any need,' I replied, putting the certificate of her burial in his hand, and he jumped as if he had been stung by an adder, and turned pale; but he soon recovered, and smiled complaisantly as he said#8212;