"You promised to let me go when my uncle brought the money."
"Your uncle?" repeated Hugh, exhibiting surprise, fixing his eyes keenly upon our hero.
"Yes, he is my uncle, but he does not acknowledge me yet."
"Humph!" said Hugh, thoughtfully to himself. "Suppose he does own you, what then?"
"It is a secret."
"You'd better tell me. I have a reason for asking."
"I have a claim to the property which my uncle possesses."
"That's it. I understand it now."
"What do you understand?"
"Suppose you was to die, what then?"