“'Not a bit,' said I, impatiently. 'I 'm well acquainted with his boastful habit: he's not so dangerous as he 'd have us to believe.' “'But will you go?--that's the question,' said he, more eagerly. “'Why are you so anxious to know?' asked I, again. “'I 'll be frank with you,' said he, in a low, confidential tone. 'Towers wants to be certain of one thing. Mind, now,' added be, 'I 'm sworn to secrecy, and I 'm telling you now what I solemnly swore never to reveal; so don't betray me, Paul. Give me your hand on it.' And I gave him my hand. “Even after I had given him this pledge, he seemed to have become timorous, and for a few minutes he faltered and hesitated, totally unable to proceed. At last he said, half inquiringly,-- “'At all events, Paul, _you_ cannot like Hawke?' “'Like him! there is not the man on earth I hate as I hate _him!_' “'That's exactly what Towers said: “Paul detests him more than we do.”' “The moment Collins said these words the whole thing flashed full upon me. They were plotting to do for Hawke, and wanted to know how far I might be trusted in the scheme. “'Look here, Tom,' said I, confidentially; 'don't tell me anything. I don't want to be charged with other men's secrets; and, in return, I'll promise not to pry after them. “Make your little game,” as they say at Ascot, and don't ask whether I'm in the ring or not. Do you understand me?' “'I do, perfectly,' said he. 'The only point Towers really wanted to be sure of is, what of _her?_ What he says is, there's no telling what a woman will do.' “' If I were merely to give an opinion,' said I, carelessly, 'I 'd say, no danger from that quarter; but, mind, it's only an opinion.' “'Wake says you'd marry her,' said he, bluntly, and with an abruptness that showed he had at length got courage to say what he wanted. “'Tom Collins,' said I, seriously, 'let us play fair; don't question me, and I 'll not question _you_.' “'But you 'll come along with us?' asked he, eagerly. “'I 'm not so sure of that, now,' said I; 'but if I do, it's on one only condition.' “'And that is--' “'That I 'm to know nothing, or hear nothing, of whatever you 're about. I tell you distinctly that I 'll not pry anywhere, but, in return, treat me as a stranger in whose discretion you cannot trust.' “'You like sure profits and a safe venture, in fact,' said he, sneeringly. “'Say one half of that again, Collins,' said I, 'and I'll cut with the whole lot of you. I ask no share. I 'd accept no share in your gains here.' “'But you 'll not peach on us, Paul?' said he, catching my hand. “'Never,' said I, 'as long as you are on the square with _me_.'