CHAPTER XVI.
On leaving the house of Jasper, Martin--who, instead of having been in
the city only a few hours, arrived two days previously--took his
way to the office of Grind, the lawyer. He had seen this individual
already several times, and now called on him again by appointment. The
two men, on meeting, exchanged looks of intelligence.
"Did you see him?" asked the lawyer, as Martin took a proffered chair.
"I saw him," was replied.
"Can you make any thing out of him?'
"I think so. He fights a little hard; but the odds are against him."
"How much did you ask him to loan you?"
"Ten thousand?"
"Martin! That's cutting a little too sharp."
"Not a hit. He'll never miss such a trifle."
"You can't bleed him that deep," said the lawyer.
"Can't I? You'll see; I could get twenty thousand. But I'm disposed to
be generous. Ten thousand I must and will have."
And the man laughed in a low, self-satisfied, sinister chuckle.
"He's able enough," remarked Grind.
"So you have told me. And if he is able, he must pay. I helped him
to a fortune, and it is but fair that he should help me a little, now
that a fortune is in my grasp. I only want the money as a loan."
"Wouldn't five thousand answer your purpose?" asked the lawyer. "That
is a large sum.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166