"No, I don't. He's just artful enough to be up to some such game. He's deceived Mr. Ferguson, and made him think there is no one like him, so that there is no chance for me. He gets twice the salary that I do, although I have been in the business as long as he." "And yet you look as if you had a good business turn," said Mr. Grey, with skillful flattery. "I know as much of business as he does. I am sure of that." "Mr. Ferguson must be a weak man to be so easily duped. If it were my case, he wouldn't find it so easy to impose upon me." "I don't know how he does it, but he has cut me out entirely. Mr. Ferguson won't hear a word against his favorite." "You are unfortunate, but we are in the same position there. He has conspired to keep you down, and he is now plotting to extort money from me by his preposterous claims." "Do you think he stands any chance?" "No. But if he produces this paper of his, he might bring a suit against me which would be annoying. You know there are some people who are always ready to believe the worst, and I dare say he would convince some that his claims were just, and that I had acted fraudulently. Now that would be unpleasant to me, though I should be certain to win at law." "Of course. What are you going to do about it, Mr. Grey?" "To ask your assistance, for which I shall be ready to pay." "But what can I do?" asked Maurice, in some astonishment. "I will tell you," said James Grey, hitching his chair nearer that of his young visitor; "but, of course, you will keep my confidence?" "Certainly." "The whole strength of his case lies in this forged paper. Let me get possession of that, and he can do nothing." "I see." "Now you know where he boards, probably?" "Yes." "Can't you contrive to get access to his room, search for the paper--very likely it is in his trunk--and, when obtained, bring it to me? I am ready to give a hundred dollars for it." "I don't know," said Maurice, slowly. "I am afraid it would be difficult." "But by no means impossible. I will give you ten dollars now, and that you may keep, whether you succeed or not. If you succeed, you shall have a hundred dollars besides. Do you agree?" As he spoke he held a ten-dollar bill out temptingly. It was a temptation that Maurice Walton, with but fifty cents in his pocket, could not resist. He wanted money sorely. Besides, he had a chance to win a hundred dollars additional, and this would enable him to gratify several wishes which had hitherto seemed unattainable. "I will do my best," he said, holding out his hand for the money. There was a quiet flash of triumph in the cold, gray eye of his older companion, as he placed the bill in Maurice's hands. "I need not caution you to be secret," he said. "I shall not say a word to any one," answered young Walton. James Grey rubbed his hands gleefully, as Walton left the room. "The scheme promises well," he soliloquized. "My worthy nephew, I may checkmate you yet." CHAPTER XXII.