Jaspar grinned a sickly smile.

“But the plan!” continued the attorney.  “This loving couple will not willingly occupy your fancy apartment.”

“Leave that to me.  Go to the jail.  Here are the keys.  I will send them to you.  When they are in, lock the doors!”

De Guy smiled.

“You do not understand me?”

The attorney confessed that he did not.

“Nevertheless, go to the jail, and wait their coming.  Unlock the doors, and get out of sight.  They will enter, like lambs.”

Jaspar explained a little further, and the attorney took his departure to obey his instructions.

* * * * *

At the time appointed, Dalhousie returned to receive Jaspar’s reply.

“You are punctual,” said the latter.

“I am,” replied Dalhousie, cavalierly.  “This business admits of no delay.  Are you prepared to give me an answer?”

“Yes,” returned Jaspar, endeavoring to assume a crestfallen air.

“Well, sir, do you accept my terms?”

“I do, on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“It is, that you sign this bond never again to land in America, and to preserve entire silence in regard to the information you have obtained;” and Jaspar read an instrument he had drawn up, to blind the eyes of the overseer.

“I agree to it.”

“It is well.  But a further difficulty presents itself.  I have not so much money in the world.  The estate, perhaps you know, consists mostly of real estate, stocks, negroes, &c.  I have not five thousand dollars by me.”

The overseer looked at Jaspar with a keen, contemptuous glance, as if to read any attempt on his part to dupe him; but the wily planter moved not a muscle.

“Then you cannot, if you would, consummate the bargain?” said he.

“I said not so,” returned Jaspar.  “I only remarked that a difficulty had presented itself.”

“Pray explain yourself.”

“The difficulty can be removed.”

“Well, how?  What new risk must I run?”

“No risk.  To tell you all in a few words, I have the money in gold buried on the estate.”

“That will suit me better.  I prefer gold.”

“It is buried three feet under ground, in the slave jail.  I selected that place to bury it, because I could dig without attracting attention.”

“It can easily be brought to light.  An hour’s work with the spade will unearth it.”

“True; but I have not the strength to dig.  Besides, I am engaged with a friend in the nest room.”

Dalhousie accepted the excuse, for he had seen De Guy, as he was walking in the garden, half an hour before.

“I can dig it up myself.  Show me the spot.”

“Very well; but sign the bond first.”

“Of course, if you keep not your faith with me, the bond is nothing,” said Dalhousie, as he affixed his signature to the paper, which Jaspar folded carefully, and put in his pocket.