conspire for my death."

"That's so. Now, young chap, shall I kill you or not?"

"Of course I don't want to be killed, but you are too strong for me. I
am in your power."

"Swear, if I spare your life, will you see that I don't lose by it?"

Gilbert caught his meaning and snatched at the chance of safety.

"If you let me go, you shall have the same amount my uncle promised
you, and will have no stain of murder on your hands."

"Have you got the money?"

"Nearly all. The rest I can raise. But I will do better than that, on
one condition."

"What's that?"

"If you will let me call you as a witness, to prove that my uncle
engaged you to kill me, I shall be sure to recover my property, and the
day I come into possession I will pay you over _two thousand dollars_."

Hugh's eyes sparkled, but he answered cautiously:

"Won't there be no risk? Can't they shut me up?"

"No; you can say that you entered into the plan in order to entrap my
uncle."

"Will you swear to do that?"

"I will."

"Then it's a bargain. Now, what shall we do first?"

"I want you to go with me to St. Louis, but my uncle must not know that
I have escaped. How can we manage that?"

"We can go up north afterward and take the boat from there. When we
pass this place on the river, we'll stay down below."

"That is a good plan. When we get to St. Louis I will see a lawyer at
once, and put the matter in his hands."

"I don't like to come before the court," said Hugh, reluctantly, "but I
will if you say so."

"I don't think it will be necessary. When my uncle learns that his
conspiracy is likely to be made known, he will be glad to compromise
without a contest."

"You know best. If you'll come round with me to my hut, I'll tell the
old woman what's up, and then we'll strike for the river. You won't go
back on me?"

"No--that isn't my way; besides, your testimony is too valuable for me.
I'll stand by you if you'll stand by me. Give me your hand."

"I'll trust you, young one," he said.

Before the sun set they were passengers on a river steamer, bound for
St. Louis.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

A FINAL SURRENDER.

James Grey waited at home in anxious suspense to hear from Hugh
Trimble. He felt that it would not be prudent to seek him out, lest
suspicion attach to himself, in case his nephew had been murdered. From
time to time he realized the risk he had run, and wished he had never
entered into a conspiracy against Gilbert's life.