Not so bad as that, but, as he don't enjoy the property, it is a pity I
can't."

"How much does the estate amount to probably?" asked the other with
interest.

"Well, it can't be less than two hundred thousand dollars."

"Whew! That's a great fortune!"

"So it is. If I get it, or when I get it, I won't mind doing as you ask
me, and setting you up in a snug business."

"You could do it now, Mr. Waldo. You are a rich man," said Thompson.

"You are mistaken. I may have a competence, but nothing more."

"You've got a fine farm."

"That don't support me. Farming doesn't pay."

"And money in stock and bonds."

"Enough to make up the deficiency in my income. I assure you I don't lay
up a cent. I can't do it."

"May I ask what is your errand in New York?"

"I want to speak to you about that. I want to find my cousin."

"Don't his bankers know where he is?"

"If they do, they won't tell. I suppose they are acting under orders
from him?"

"Suppose you find him?"

"Then," said Charles Waldo significantly, "I shall raise the question of
his sanity. It won't be a difficult matter to prove him insane. It only
needs a certificate from a couple of doctors. I think I can find two
parties who will oblige me."

"I say, Waldo, you're a cool, calculating fellow!" Thompson was about to
use another word, but checked himself. "I wouldn't like to stand in your
way."

"Nonsense! I only want to do what is right."

"And it very conveniently happens that you consider right what is to
your interest. I say, have you any idea how the boy came to disappear?"

"Of course not! How should I?" answered Waldo uneasily.

"I don't know, but as he stood in your way, I thought----"

"You think too much," said Waldo.

"Oh, I don't mean to censure you. I suppose if I had been in your place
I might have been tempted."

"I know nothing about the boy's disappearance," said Waldo hastily; "but
let us drop that. I sent for you because I saw that you could serve
me."

"Go on; if there's money in it, I am your man."

"I shall pay you, of course; that is, I will pay you fairly. We will
speak of that hereafter."

"What do you want me to do? Is there anybody you want to disappear?"

"Hush! You go too far, sir. I want to find out the whereabouts of
Gilbert Huet. It is important for me to know where he is."

"Can you give me a clew?"

"If I could I should not need to employ you. Come up to my room and I
will communicate further with yo