"Not unless it becomes worse," grumbled Trimble.
"Would you consider it good luck if some one should pay you over a thousand dollars?"
"Would I? I"d think myself a rich man." exclaimed Trimble. "But who"s a goin" to do it?" he added, in a more subdued voice.
"I will, on certain conditions."
"You will give me a thousand dollars?" exclaimed the backwoodsman, opening wide his eyes in astonishment.
"On conditions."
"Name "em."
"First, you must promise that what I tell you shall be kept secret."
Hugh Trimble made the promise.
Mr. Grey now rose and closed the door, which was partially open, and, drawing his chair near that of his visitor, conferred with him, in a low voice, for some twenty minutes. At the end of that time he dismissed him with a parting injunction.
"Remember what I have told you, and, above all things, be secret."
When the visitor had departed, he stood with his back to the fire, and smiled unpleasantly, as he repeated:
"I think it"ll work--I think it"ll work."
CHAPTER x.x.xIV.
A RIDE THROUGH THE WOODS.
The next morning, when the three were seated at the breakfast table, Mr. Grey said:
"Jasper, I think I shall leave you to amuse yourself this morning. I propose to invite Gilbert to accompany me on a drive."
"All right, father. Where do you intend driving?"
"I scarcely know, yet. There are many pleasant places in the neighborhood which it is worth while to visit."
"I wonder what the old man"s up to?" thought Jasper. "No good to Gilbert, I"ll be bound. Well, I"ve had my turn, and it"s no more than right that he should take his. I won"t ask any inconvenient questions."
"Will that arrangement be agreeable to you?" asked James Grey, turning to his young visitor.
"I shall be happy to accompany you, Mr. Grey," answered our hero, politely.
"Then it is settled. I will order the chaise round to the door at ten o"clock."
"I will be ready, sir."
Jasper looked at his father curiously, as Gilbert left the room. His look was returned by one equally significant.
"Ask no questions," it said, and Jasper sauntered out of the room, in mute obedience.
Ten o"clock found the chaise before the door. Gilbert was on hand, and so was his uncle.
"Jump in, Gilbert," said Mr. Grey.
Our hero did so, and James Grey followed.
Jasper stood near, and looked on.
"He isn"t coming back," he said to himself. "I saw it in my father"s eyes. He won"t dare to kill him, I wonder?"
The question, which should have produced a feeling of horror, only caused a feeling of curiosity, and he walked away, in the confidence that the dangerous foe to his prospects was to be disposed of somehow.
"It is a pleasant morning for driving," said Mr. Grey, by way of opening the conversation.
"Yes, sir, very pleasant."
"Did you have any more trouble with Bucephalus yesterday?"
"No, sir. He has given up the contest."
"I am glad to hear it."
"How large is your estate, Mr. Grey?"
This was a simple question, but James Grey understood it as implying curiosity on the part of our hero to learn how large a property he could claim.
"There are about two hundred acres," he answered. "By the way, we have not yet spoken of your claim."
"No, sir."
"I have been meaning to go to Alton to consult my lawyer. I have delayed it longer, perhaps, than I should. To-morrow I will attend to it, and report to you the result."
"Thank you, sir. I don"t like to hurry you, but a decision is so important to my plans in life that I should like the matter decided as soon as possible."
"Of course, your feeling is only natural. Indeed, I have reason to feel in the same way, for if your claim is sustained it will reduce me to comparative poverty, and my poor boy also."
James Grey spoke with affected feeling, and Gilbert responded, quickly:
"Don"t think so meanly of me, Mr. Grey, as to suppose that I should be willing to reduce you and Jasper to poverty. I can not give up my rights, but I will take care that you are saved from any pecuniary want."
"Will you, indeed?" said Mr. Grey to himself, with a sneer. "Thank you for nothing, young man; I intend to provide against that contingency myself."
What he said aloud was something very different.