“I thought it would give me an idea of the value of the papers.”
“It is quite unnecessary that you should know their value.”
“You wish me to get possession of them?”
“Yes.”
“How much will it be worth to me?”
“That’s another matter. That is something you do have a right to ask. Well, I am ready to pay”—Mr. Wentworth paused to consider—“I am ready to pay a hundred, yes, two hundred, dollars for them.”
Samuel Standish brightened up. To him in his present circumstances two hundred dollars was a great deal of money.
“Do you think there will be any chance to get hold of the papers on the boat?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“If not, I shall have to follow him.”