No, he felt sure that his client would never lift his hand against the uncle of the girl he loved, however great his guilt might be. He was quite safe in making the Colonial’s mind easy on that score. Strange perversity of human nature that this man, presumably a crook himself, shrank from giving another crook away, even although he had been treated so vilely. Or was Newcombe’s hesitation due to a sense of self-preservation? In giving his old pal away, would he be forced to implicate himself? “I understand what is in your mind, but I think you may be quite sure nothing of the kind will happen. Certain suspicions having arisen, it is necessary to confirm or remove them.” The Colonial was evidently thinking very deeply, looking at the matter from every point of view. “And supposing, mind you, I only say supposing, that the suspicions were confirmed, I presume the young fellow would chuck this pretty girl.” “I am sure of the contrary,” answered the detective, speaking quite warmly; he had taken a great fancy to Lydon and was convinced he would never act shabbily to a woman. “It is not pleasant to have a criminal for an uncle, of course, but I understand her father is a man of the highest probity.” Again the Colonial put on his thinking cap. “That settles that, then.” And now he began to relinquish, to some extent, his rather futile attempts at caution. “And now let’s consider the position as it affects me. If I give Stormont away, I shall have to make a clean bolt of it; there’ll be no further help from that quarter. Besides, I shouldn’t be safe, if he happened to find it out, and it’s a chance one must reckon with. He wants to get me out of the way as it is.” “You’re quite right, Newcombe. If he ever got a hint, he would be doubly, trebly anxious to remove you. If we do come to an arrangement, you’ll have to quit in double-quick time. Now, let us discuss terms. If you can tell me something definite about this man, as I have said, there is five hundred pounds waiting for you. You are a man of brains and resource; with that sum you can start life again. And, in my candid opinion, the sooner you get out of Stormont’s reach, the better for your own peace of mind.” “Not enough,” cried the Colonial promptly. “One can’t do much in making a fresh start with five hundred. Besides, it’s worth a thousand.” But if Newcombe was hard at a bargain, Grewgus was by no means a bad man of business. He joined issue at once, and for a long time they fought each other strenuously. A compromise was finally reached at seven hundred. Grewgus was sure his client would go to this extent, from what he had said.