Warren Lane nodded.
“He was after the papers,” he said. “He offered me a thousand dollars for them.”
“And you declined?”
“Yes: I will not barter my son’s inheritance for a mess of pottage.”
“I would rather have you do that, father, than have your last moments disturbed.”
“I will not permit myself to be disturbed. But, Gerald, I have one warning to give you. When I am gone this man will leave no stone unturned to get possession of those papers. Don’t let him have them!”
“I won’t, father. You had better not let him know that I have them.”
“I shall not, but he will guess it. You will need all your shrewdness to defeat him.”
“I will bear that in mind, father. Now dismiss the matter from your thoughts. I know your wishes, and I understand the character of the man who is your enemy and mine.”