116 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

may ruin every thing. The coal is our discovery,
and we are, in all equity, entitled to the benefit.”

“OF course we are. It’s a matter of speculation,
at best; the lucky win. If we can get an order for
the sale, we shall win handsomely. But, without
producing the child, it will be next to impossible to
get the order. So we must have her, by fair means
or by foul.”

“We must,” said the lawyer, compressing his lips
firmly.

“«¢ And have her now.”

“Now,” responded Grind.

Jasper rose to his feet.

“Tt’s easy enough to say what we must have,”
remarked Grind, “but the means of gaining our
ends are not always at hand. What do you propose
doing ?”’

“T shall get the child.”

“Don’t act too precipitately. Violence will ex-
cite suspicion, and suspicion 1s a wonderful ques-
tioner.”

“We must play a desperate game, as things now
are, or not play at all,” said Jasper.

“True; but the more desperate the game, the
more need of coolness, forethought, and circumspec-
tion. Don’t forget this. How do you mean to

roceed ?”’

“That is yet to be determined.”

“Will you make another effort to influence
Claire ?”’

“No.5:

“Do you regard him as altogether impracticable ?”’

“No ‘influence that I can bring would move him.”