“I wants this of you—money?”
“I expected as much.”
“Ah! but not without earning it. I’ve got something to tell as will startle you. Listen, and see whether it won’t be worth while to open your purse to me, Old Wilton wants one link of evidence to make him master of all that property you have been trying to get—don’t he?”
“He does.” replied Mr. Grahame, with a half-presentiment of what was to follow.
“Well, that link I’ve found.”
“You?”
“I! I know where to clap my hand on it, and bring it to light; or—if liberally renoomerated—to keep it dark.”
“Is this truth?” cried Mr. Grahame, petrified.
Mr. Chewkle immediately took a terrific oath to confirm its assertion.
“The link’s a man,” he added; “and his name is Josh Maybee, eh?”