150 TRUE RICHES; OR,

 

therefore, as just said, retain this advantage in my
own hands. But, Mr. Jasper, I shall need some help.”

The visitor fixed his eyes keenly on the merchant
as he said this. There was a momentary pause.
Then he resumed.

“JT shall only want about ten thousand dollars,
though; and this you must obtain for me.”’

‘Martin! Do you think I am made of money ?”
exclaimed Jasper, starting to his feet, and facing
his companion, in the attitude and with the expres-
sion of a man who, finding himself in the presence
of an enemy, assumes the defensive.

‘Oh no,” was the quiet answer—“ not made of
money. But, fora particular friend, you can no doubt,
easily raise such a trifle as ten thousand dollars ?”’

“Trifle! You mock me, sir!”

“Don’t get excited about this matter, Mr. Jasper,”
coolly returned Martin, whose name the reader has
probably recognised as that of an agent employed by
the merchant and Grind, the lawyer, some years
before, in making investigations relative to the ex-
istence of coal on certain lands not far from Read-
ing, Pennsylvania. ‘Don’t get excited,” he repeat-
ed. ‘That will dono good. I have not come to
rob you. I don’t ask you to give me ten thousand
dollars. All I want is a loan, for which I will
pledge good security.”

‘What kind of security ?”’ asked Jasper quickly.

“‘ Security on my lead-mine.”’

“Pooh! I wouldn’t give the snap of a finger for
such security !”

Jasper, thrown off his guard, spoke more con-
temptuously than was prudent.