"I will, on certain conditions."
"You will give me a thousand dollars?" exclaimed the backwoodsman, opening wide his eyes in astonishment.
"On conditions."
"Name 'em."
"First, you must promise that what I tell you shall be kept secret."
Hugh Trimble made the promise.
Mr. Grey now rose and closed the door, which was partially open, and, drawing his chair near that of his visitor, conferred with him, in a low voice, for some twenty minutes. At the end of that time he dismissed him with a parting injunction.
"Remember what I have told you, and, above all things, be secret."
When the visitor had departed, he stood with his back to the fire, and smiled unpleasantly, as he repeated:
"I think it'll work—I think it'll work."