“Yes, it is his very life.  It cheers him and buoys him up, and makes him treat all discomforts as of the present, which will vanish when once he comes into his own.”

“So he expects to get very rich, does he?”

“Oh, yes.  He talks about what he will do when he has money.  It certainly would be a great pity to take such a hope from him.  I believe it would kill him at once.”

For a long time they talked, and it was late when they went to bed, the stranger with the chauffeur in the adjoining room, and Jasper upon the cot.  The latter found it hard to get to sleep, as many thoughts kept surging through his mind.  He wondered why his visitor should take such a keen interest in the welfare of old David.  He recalled, too, his sudden start when David’s name was mentioned, and the excuse which had been given did not altogether satisfy him.

Jasper was awake early next morning, and had the frugal breakfast ready by the time his two visitors came from their room.  As soon as breakfast was over, the chauffeur left to look after the car.  The stranger then pushed back his chair, lighted a cigar, and handed one to Jasper.

“Please do not trouble about the dishes now,” he began in a tone which somewhat surprised the young man.

“I have been thinking over what you told me last night, and am greatly impressed by the sad condition of that old man.  You have no work in view, so I understand?”

“You are right,” Jasper replied.

“Well, then,” the other continued, “I wish to make a definite proposition to you on several conditions.  I wish to employ you for one month, and will give you one hundred and fifty dollars, if that will be satisfactory.”

It was Jasper’s turn now to start, and look with astonishment at the man before him.  Was he in earnest? he asked himself, or was he merely joking?

“Ah, I see you are astonished,” and the stranger smiled, “but I assure you that I mean what I say, and to prove it, I shall pay you in advance.”

“But what are the conditions?” Jasper stammered.

“They are three,” the stranger replied after a slight pause.  “First, that you are to take special care of that old man.  How you are to do it I shall explain later.  In the next place you are to ask no questions as to why I am doing this.  And last of all, you are not to say who is doing this, neither to the old man nor, in fact, to any one.”

For a few seconds Jasper looked at the stranger in a quizzical manner.  He was wondering whether the man was really in his right mind.

“Isn’t that a strange proposition to put to one you know so little about?” he asked.

“In most cases it might be,” was the quiet reply.  “But I have good reasons for what I am doing, and do not think that there will be any mistake.  Are you willing to enter my employment for a month?”

“Now, that all depends.  I need the money, God knows, but I must understand more about what is expected of me in connection with the care of the old man.”