Jaspar watched him in silence, as he felt about the floor.  The overseer was in no haste to find it, though his eyes were fixed on it all the time.

“Didn’t you put it into your pocket, by mistake?” suggested Jaspar.

“Certainly not,” replied Dalhousie; “here it is;” and, picking up the key, he handed it to Jaspar.  “I was certain I left it here.”

Jaspar felt much relieved.

“Sorry to have troubled you,” said he, “but I wanted a paper—­” and he rose and opened the drawer, as if in quest of it.

“No trouble at all,” returned the overseer.  “Now that I am here, a few words with you would be particularly agreeable to me.”

Jaspar’s curiosity was instantly excited, and, forgetting the paper and De Guy, he requested him to proceed immediately with his business.

“It is a matter of much interest to both of us,” continued Dalhousie, embarrassed by the difficulties of his position.

“Well, sir, go on,” said Jaspar, impatiently, for the overseer’s hesitation had rather a bad odor.

“I may as well speak bluntly and to the point,” stammered Dalhousie, still reluctant to state his business.

“Why don’t you?  I am not a sentimental girl, that you need make a long preface to your oration.”

“I will, sir.  Every man is in duty bound to consider his own interest—­”

“Certainly, by all means.  Go on.”

“In regard to your relations with your niece—­” and Dalhousie paused again.

Jaspar’s reddening face and the curl upon his lip indicated the volcano of passion which would soon burst within him.

“Proceed, sir,” said he, struggling to be calm.

“In regard to your relations with your niece, you are aware that I am somewhat acquainted with them.”

“I am; I hope you do not know too much for your own good.  You know I am not to be trifled with.”

“I am not concerned for my own safety,” replied Dalhousie, a little stung by the implied threat of Jaspar; “but I wish to provide for your safety.  I intend to go to France.”

“I do not prevent you.”

“I lack the means.”

“And you wish me to furnish them?”

“I do.”

“And how large a sum do you need?”

“A pretty round sum.  I will keep entirely away from this part of the country, so that you need not fear me.”

“Fear you!” sneered Jaspar, rising and draining a glass of brandy.  “I fear no man, no devil, no angel!”

“Perhaps you are not aware that your reputation is in my hands.”

“Not at all, sir,” said Jaspar, coldly.

“Know, then, that I have a copy of the genuine will, and the means of attesting it!”

Jaspar was prepared for almost anything, but this was too much.  He paced the room with redoubled energy.  His bravado had vanished, and he was as near pale as his bloated visage could approach to that hue.  He strode up and down the room in silence, while his heart beat the reveille of fear.  For a time his wonted firmness forsook him, and he felt as weak as a child, and sunk back into a chair.