“I'll tell you all I know, Mr. Massingbred,” said he, as having turned the key in the door, he took his seat at the table. “And I 'll tell you, besides, how I came by the knowledge, and I 'll leave it to your own judgment to say what his chance is worth. When Merl was stopping at Kilkieran, he left there a little pocket-book, with memorandums of all his secret transactions. Mighty nice doings they were,--and profitable, too,--as you 'll perceive when you look over it.” “You have it, then,” cried Jack, eagerly. “Here it is,” said he, producing the precious volume, and laying his hand firmly on it. “Here it is now. I got it under a pledge to hand it to himself, which I need n't tell you I never had the slightest intention of performing. It's not every day in the week one has the good luck to get a peep into the enemy's brief, and this is exactly what you 'll find here.” Massingbred stretched out his hand to take the book, but Scanlan quietly replaced it in his pocket, and, with a dry and very peculiar smile, said,--“Have a little patience, sir. We must go regularly to work here. You shall see this book--you shall examine it--and even retain it--but it must be on conditions.” “Oh, you may confide in me, Scanlan. Even if Mr. Merl were my friend,--which I assure you he is not,--I could not venture to betray _you_.” “That's not exactly what I 'm thinking of, Mr. Massingbred. I 'm certain you 'd say nothing to Merl of what you saw here. My mind is easy enough upon that score.” “Well, then, in what direction do your suspicions point?” “They 're not suspicions, sir,” was the dry response. “Fears,--hesitations,--whatever you like to call them.” “Are we on honor here, Mr. Massingbred?” said Scanlan, after a pause. “For myself, I say decidedly so,” was the firm reply. “That will do, sir. I ask only one pledge, and I 'm sure you 'll not refuse it: if you should think, on reflection, that what I propose to you this evening is neither practicable nor advisable,--that, in fact, you could neither concur in it nor aid it,--that you'll never, so long as you live, divulge it to any one,--man, woman, or child. Have I that promise?” “I think I may safely say that.” “Ay, but do you say it?” “I do; here is my promise.” “That will do. I don't ask a word more. Now, Mr. Massingbred,” said he, replacing the book on the table, “I 'll tell you in the fewest words I can how the case stands,--and brevity is essential, for we have not an hour to lose. Merl is gone to London about this business, and we 'll have to follow him. _He 'd_ be very glad to be rid of the affair to-morrow, and he 'll not waste many days till he is so. Read that bit there, sir,” said he, pointing to a few closely written lines in the note-book.