‘Oh, I can manage it so that there will be no danger of a discovery taking place,’ replied Jenkins. ‘Ah, then, be it so, and we will not fall out about the reward.’ ‘Agreed,’ answered the captain, ‘an answer must, therefore, be despatched to the place where Gordon is staying, acquainting him with our intentions, so that he may make the necessary preparations for carrying our designs into execution.’ ‘It shall be done immediately. But think you that success is at all likely?’ ‘It is all but certain.’ ‘And had Monteagle better be brought to the house where Inez is confined?’ ‘That you can use your own pleasure in,’ replied Jenkins. Blodget reflected for a few moments. ‘No,’ he at last said, ‘it shall not be so at present; I think it would be as well not to let Inez know anything about it for a short time.’ ‘Why so?’ ‘Why,’ returned Blodget, ‘in the first place, the sudden shock might be attended with fatal consequences to her; and in the next, I think it would be better to break it out to her by degrees, and make the circumstance subservient to my designs upon her.’ ‘That is my opinion,’ remarked Jenkins, ‘but you are a fool, Blodget, to delay the indulgence of your desires so long, when you have it in your power to gratify them immediately. If you wait until you prevail upon the lady to consent, I think you will be likely to tarry a long while.’ ‘That is your opinion?’ ‘It is.’ ‘Mine is a different one.’ ‘You must have a very high opinion of your powers of captivation, if that is really your belief,’ returned Jenkins. ‘Perhaps so,’ said Blodget, ‘but time will show; and now that I have the prospect of getting this fellow into my power, I am the more disposed to wait patiently and give my plans a fair trial.’ ‘And wait until de Castro or his friends discover the retreat of the lady, force her from your power, and bring you to punishment,’ rejoined Jenkins. ‘If Gordon is successful, there will be no fear of that.’ ‘Maybe so; but you remember the old proverb—“a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”’ ‘At any rate, I have made up my mind to run the chance of it.’ ‘Well, of course, you are at liberty to do as you think proper,’ observed the captain; ‘but if you succeed in getting this youngster in our power, where do you think of placing him?’ ‘Know you of any person that can be trusted with him?’ ‘I do.’ ‘And does he reside far from this place?’ ‘Close upon the spot.’ ‘Is the place obscure?’ ‘It is little frequented.’ ‘And who is he?’ ‘One of my gang; you may depend upon him.’ ‘’Tis well; and you think he will accept of the charge?’ ‘I am certain of it; he would do it gladly.’ ‘Perhaps you will see him and make the proposal; it would come better from your lips than mine.’ ‘I will do so.’ ‘You have my thanks, captain.’ ‘’Pshaw! I don’t want them. But, mark now, he must be well paid for his trouble, and keeping the secret.’ ‘I have no objection to that.’ ‘This will be an expensive job for you.’