"Do you know who he is?"
"No. Is he a person of any importance?"
"I should say so. He is secretary and companion—whatever you may choose to call it—to old Tom Nixon."
Nelson Hawk uttered an exclamation of dismay.
"Are you sure of that?" he asked hurriedly.
"Certainly I am."
"How do you know?"
"I saw him at Campville three weeks ago and I know he lives with old Tom."
Straightway it flashed upon the superintendent's mind that he had discussed the condition of the mine with Matthew Grote in hearing of this boy. He must, he felt convinced, have spoken of its large output, having no idea that this youth was an agent of his partner. If this were the case all his plans were upset. Gerald would of course communicate what he had heard to the old man.
What was to be done?