r party. Now, I 'm here to
treat with you. How much shall it be? There's no use in going about the
bush,--how much shall it be?"

"I can be of no use to you in this business," said Dunn, hesitatingly;
"the papers are not in my keeping. Conway's suit is in the hands of the
first men at the bar--"

"I know all that, and I know, besides, you have an appointment with
Fordyce at Calvert's Hotel, to arrange the whole matter; so go in at
once, and be on the square with me. Who has these papers? Where are
they?"

Dunn started at the sudden tone of the question, and then his eyes
turned as quickly towards a brass-bound despatch-box at the bottom of
the carriage. If the glance was of the speediest, it yet had not escaped
the intense watchfulness of Davis, who now reiterated his question of
"Where are they?"

"If you 'd come to me after my interview with Fordyce," said Dunn, with
a slow deliberation, as though giving the matter a full reflection, "I
think we might hit upon something together."

"To be sure, we might," said Grog, laughing; "there 's only one obstacle
to that pleasant arrangement,--that I should find an inspector and two
constables of the police ready waiting for my visit. No, Master Dunn,
what we 're to do we 'll do _here_ and _now_."

"You appear to measure all men by your own standard, sir," said Dunn,
indignantly; "and let me tell you that in point of honor it is a scant
one."

"We're neither of us fit for a grenadier-company of integrity, that's a
fact, Dunn; but, upon my solemn oath, I believe I 'm the best man of the
two. But what's the use of this 'chaff'? I have heard from Hankes how it
stands about that Irish estate you pretended to buy for the late
Lord, and never paid for. Now you want to stand all square upon that,
naturally enough; it is a pot of money,--seven-and-thirty thousand
pounds. Don't you see, old fellow, I have the whole story all correct
and clear; so once more, do be business-like, and say what's your
figure,--how much?"

Again did Dunn's eyes revert to the box at his feet, but it was
difficult to say whether intentionally or not Davis, however, never
ceased to watch their gaze; and when Dunn, becoming suddenly conscious
of the scrutiny, grew slightly red, Grog chuckled to himself and
muttered, "You're no match for Kit Davis, deep as you are."

"Until we learn to repose some trust in each other, sir," said Dunn,
whose confusion still continued, "all dealing together is useless."