WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 83

 

sessed. He was both surprised and troubled; yet
concealed, as far as possible, the real state of his
feelings.

‘So far as Mr. Melleville is concerned,”’ said he,
‘‘T wish you to understand, that I applied to Acm
for the situation.”’

“Exactly! That is in agreement with what I
heard. I was such a rogue that you could not live
with me and keep a clear conscience—so you sought
for a place with an honest man.”’

Claire dropped his eyes to the floor, and stood
musing for some considerable time. When he raised
them, he looked steadily at his employer and.said—
_ “Mr. Jasper, I never made use of thegwerds you

have repeated.” =>

“Tf not the very words, those of Pike significa-
tion ?”’

‘“‘'lo whom ? There is no need of concealment,
Mr. Jasper.” Claire. was feeling less and less anxious
for the result of ‘this conference every moment.
“Speak out freely, and you will find me ready to do
the same. There had been some underhand work’ %
here—or some betrayal of an ill-advised confidence.
The former, [am most ready to believe. In a word,
sir, and to brmg this at once to an issue—your in-
formant in this matter is Henry Parker, who lives
with Mr. Melleville."*

The change instantly perceptible in the manner
of Jasper showed that Edward’s suspicion was
right. He had, all at once, remembered that, during
his conversation with Melleville, this young man was
near.

“‘ T see how it is,’ he continued. ‘An eavesdrop-

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