"What will you take for the papers you hold?"
"Wouldn't sell them at any price. I'm not running my head into any trap."
"It will be all right."
"Maybe it will, but I'll run no risk," He paused a moment. "I'll tell you what I will do. Give me a thousand dollars and I'll let you see me burn them up.
I was intensely surprised at this proposition, more so, I believe, than was Mr. Woodward.
"A thousand dollars!" he exclaimed. "Chris, you're crazy."
"No, indeed. I know a thing or two. What do you suppose the Strongs would pay for them?"
"You don't mean to say you would play me false?" ejaculated the merchant, hoarsely.
"I mean to say I'd do anything to save myself if you got us into a hole. As far as I can see, you have allowed this boy to get the best of you at every turn."
"Humph! You needn't talk. You let him walk right into your confidence the first thing."