"Like him!" returned Maurice, with bitter emphasis. "I should think not. He's a mean grasping fellow, and I hate him. He's got the inside track now, but my turn may come some time." James Grey listened to this conversation with increasing interest. It seemed to open a way for him to success. "Come," thought he, "here is just the fellow I want. He hates my dangerous nephew, and can easily be molded to my purposes. I will follow him, and, as soon as I can speak to him alone, I will see if I cannot win him to my side." CHAPTER XXI. A CONSPIRACY. James Grey continued to follow Maurice Walton and his companion until his patience was nearly exhausted. At length, just as the city clocks were striking ten, Baker said: "Well, Walton, I must bid you good-night." "Won't you walk home with me? It isn't far out of your way." "Can't do it to-night. The fact is, I want to see the governor before he retires. I'm hard up, and shall try to get a ten-dollar bill out of him." "I wish you success. As to being 'hard up,' I can sympathize with you. Couldn't you ask him for an extra ten for me?" "I would if there was any chance of getting it, but I'm afraid my own chance is slim enough." "If I only got Grey's salary, I wouldn't ask favors of anybody; but how is a fellow to get along on ten dollars a week?" "Just so. Well, good-night." "Good-night." Baker walked off, and Maurice Walton walked on by himself. He had taken but a few steps when Mr. Grey, quickening his pace, laid his hand upon his shoulder. "Mr. Walton," said he. Maurice turned quickly. "You must excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing you, being a stranger; but I heard you, when in conversation with the young man who has just left you, mention the name of Gilbert Grey." "Yes, sir, I mentioned his name," said Maurice. "Do you know him?" "I have spoken with him, but I know very little about him. I judge that you do." "We are in the same store," said Maurice; "but we are not intimate friends." "I infer that you do not like him?" "No, I don't." "Nor do I." Probably Mr. Grey could not have said anything more likely to win young Walton's confidence than this frank expression of dislike. "The fact is," continued Mr. Grey, "I suppose I may speak to you in confidence?" "Oh! certainly, sir," said Maurice, eagerly, for he anticipated hearing something to Gilbert's disadvantage. "Then," said Mr. Grey, in a low tone, "I look upon him as an impostor." "You do?" repeated young Walton. "What makes you think so?" "I don't like to speak openly in the street. Can you give me an hour, or even half an hour of your time, or is it necessary for you to go home at once?" "Where are you stopping, sir?" "At the Burnet House." "I think I can spare half an hour. It is near by." "Thank you. I will endeavor to make the interview a profitable one for you. I am going to ask a service of you, and I am willing to pay handsomely for it."