"You will learn that in due time; I have reason to think that Toby's presence will be needed."
The attorney quailed beneath the steady gaze of Gerald Leslie. He felt that some hidden danger was threatened by this visit.
"Pray, Mr. Leslie," said Augustus Horton, "may I venture to ask the motive which has brought you and my cousin to a house in which you can hardly expect to be welcome?"
"You will very soon know that, Mr. Horton," answered Gerald. "Our visit to-day is to Mr. Craig, rather than to yourself; and our motive in coming to this house is that you may learn the true character of the man whom you have chosen as your associate."
"I require no such teaching, Mr. Leslie," said Augustus, haughtily. "Silas Craig, why do you sit there like a stock? Why don't you speak, man; and ask Gerald Leslie what he means by this?"
"Shall I answer that question, Mr. Horton," replied Leslie. "Silas Craig does not speak because he dares not; because he knows his own guilt, and knows that the seizure and sale of my property, which took place yesterday, was an illegal one."
"Illegal?"
"Yes, illegal; because that seizure was made for a debt which I did not owe. The sole claim which that man, Silas Craig, had upon me, was a debt of one hundred dollars. That debt was paid to him a year ago by my late partner, Philip Treverton."
Silas Craig laughed aloud; but it was a hollow and affected mirth, which could scarcely have deceived the most shallow observer.
"You are either a fool or a madman, Gerald Leslie," he said. "If Philip Treverton had paid the money he would have had a document; who can prove the payment of the debt?"