“Then it will depend on circumstances not now evident what will become of me.”
“And if it fails?”
“Then I think that you and I are certain to be put to death unless we can manage to make our escape from this place.”
“Which appears hardly to be expected.”
“Yes, hardly to be expected, but the unexpected happens.”
“And now, Jack,” said I, “I agree with you in all that you have said; but do you know why he is sending you away?”
“Well, no, I don’t.”
“I’ll tell you why: he fears your influence over me. I came to that conclusion as I lay awake last night. And he means to try on some new game to-day or to begin to try. But as I thought over all that I couldn’t but go on to ask, why does he want me and not you, and why is he shy of you? What do you think?”
[171] “I can’t say, Bob, unless it be that I am not clever enough.”
“Clever! you’re a modest man, Jack, I know, but if I did not know you to be genuine I should say now that some of the modesty was put on. Not clever enough? You’ve seen through this fellow sooner and farther than I. You might better say too clever, but that is not it either.”