"Give me two hundred in gold now, and then, if you find any heirs, I will agree to pay the money back to you. That's fair, you see."
"Perhaps it is," laughed Leopold, amused at the desperation of the coxcomb; "but one so busy as you are, and will always be, in a great city like New York, might forget to send me the money."
"I will give you my note for it."
"Your note would not be worth any more than mine, for neither of us is of age. If you will give me your father's note I will think about it."
"My father's note! I don't want my governor to know anything about this business, you see. I want this money for my private purse, so that I can give a champagne supper when I please."
"I am afraid we shall not be able to manage the business, Mr. Redmond. You know I was to consider your claim, when I found there were no heirs."
"O, you mean to cheat me out of it."
"I promised to consider your claim. But in the mean time I don't want anything said about this money in Rockhaven. It would make too much talk."
"O, you want me to keep the secret—do you?" demanded Mr. Redmond, with a new gleam of hope.
"I do." And Leopold explained some of the reasons which induced him to desire that the hidden treasure should still remain a secret.