'Not the faintest suspicion. The detectives, when I left Kirkburn, had not even found the trap door, you understand. You hit on its discovery through knowing the priest's hole at Oxburgh Hall, I suppose?' The doctor nodded. 'You can guarantee absolute secrecy?' he asked. 'Naturally, the knowledge is confined to me, you, and your partners. I want the secrecy in Mr. Logan's interests, and you know why.' 'Well,' said the doctor, 'that is point one. So far I am with you.' 'Then, to enter on odious details,' said Merton, 'had you thought of any terms?' 'The old man was stiff,' said the doctor, 'and your side only offered to double him in your advertisement, you know.' 'That was merely a way of speaking,' said Merton. 'What did the marquis propose?' 'Well, as his offer is not a basis of negotiation?' 'Certainly not,' said Merton. 'Five hundred he offered, out of which we were to pay his fare back to Scotland.' Both men laughed. 'But you have your own ideas?' said Merton. 'I had thought of 15,000_l_. and leaving England. He is a multimillionaire, the marquis.' 'It is rather a pull,' said Merton. 'Now speaking as a professional man, and on honour, how _is_ his lordship?' Merton asked. 'Speaking as a professional man, he _may_ live a year; he cannot live eighteen months, I stake my reputation on that.' Merton mused. 'I'll tell you what we can do,' he said. 'We can guarantee the interest, at a fancy rate, say five per cent, during the marquis's life, which you reckon as good for a year and a half, at most. The lump sum we can pay on his decease.' The doctor mused in his turn. 'I don't like it. He may alter his will, and then--where do I come in?' 'Of course that is an objection,' said Merton. 'But where do you come in if you refuse? Logan, I can assure you (I have read up the Scots law since I came to town), is the heir if the marquis dies intestate. Suppose that I do not leave this house in a few minutes, Logan won't bargain with you; we settled _that_; and really you will have taken a great deal of trouble to your own considerable risk. You see the usual document, my statement, is lodged with a friend.' 'There is certainly a good deal in what you say,' remarked the doctor. 'Then, to take a more cheerful view,' said Merton, 'I have medical authority for stating that any will made now, or later, by the marquis, would probably be upset, on the ground of mental unsoundness, you know. So Logan would succeed, in spite of a later will.' The doctor smiled. 'That point I grant. Well, one must chance something. I accept your proposals. You will give me a written agreement, signed by Mr. Logan, for the arrangement.' 'Yes, I have power to act.' 'Then, Mr. Merton, why in the world did you not let your friend walk in Burlington Arcade, and see the lady? He would have been met with the same terms, and could have proposed the same modifications.'