“Impossible! I, and I alone—that is, outside of the men who employ me—can give you this information. They will follow my advice, whatever it is, and I shall advise them not to surrender the box until they receive an adequate reward.”
“Such as the sum you name?”
“Yes.”
“Wouldn’t two thousand dollars tempt you?” asked the lawyer.
“I think not. Still, I will consult them. I might advise them to accept that sum.”
“My dear sir, I don’t want to deceive you. I attach very little importance to your information, or your power in this matter. In fact, I have a theory as to the place where the box is concealed.”
“Indeed, sir,” said Vernon, with a sneer. “May I ask what is your theory?”
“Certainly. I think it is concealed near some country town, in a secluded spot in a wood.”
Vernon jumped to his feet in dismay. He was convinced that his confederate had got the start of him and made a bargain with the lawyer, thus anticipating his own treachery, for he had promised Temple that he would suffer some time to elapse before communicating with anyone on the subject.
“Who has been here?” he asked.