"Yes, he would; but I am attached to the country. I suppose when he grows older that he will insist upon leaving me. That will leave me indeed solitary." They kept on till they were in the heart of the woods. As Mr. Grey had said, the road was now but a cart-path, bordered on either side by tall, straight trees. Suddenly, from a covert of underbrush, a ruffian sprang out, and seized the horse by the bridle. CHAPTER XXXV. HOW GILBERT IS DISPOSED OF. "What do you want, fellow?" demanded James Grey, sternly, in order to keep up appearances, for he recognized his confederate. "Let go that bridle." "I want money," said Hugh Trimble, for, of course it was he. "Is this the fashion in which you ask it?" said Mr. Grey. "Let go my bridle, and come round to my house. Then I will listen to your application, and, if I find you deserving, I will grant your request." "That don't go down," said Hugh, roughly. "You rich men take good care of your money. I shouldn't stand no chance at your house." "As much there as here." "Maybe not," said the man, significantly. "There you'd be master. Here, I am master." "What do you mean by that?" "I mean that I want five hundred dollars, and I mean to have it." "Do you dare to threaten me?" "Yes, I do. You are a rich man--I am poor. You can spare five hundred dollars without feeling it." "I don't intend to be forced into giving you money. Let go that bridle, or I will run over you." "I will stand by you, Mr. Grey," said Gilbert, speaking for the first time. "Don't submit to that man's demands." "Young man," said Hugh, "you'd better not interfere. You can't help your father." "He is not my father." "No matter what he is, you'd better keep out of the affair. That's the advice I give you." "I shall stand by him," said Gilbert, spiritedly. "You've got two against you." "And you've got two against you," said Hugh, drawing a pistol from a side-pocket. "What do you say to that?" "My friend, what is it that you demand?" asked Mr. Grey. "So I'm your friend now, am I?" retorted Hugh, with a mocking laugh. "It's the pistol that's done it, I reckon." "I repeat it--what do you want?" "Five hundred dollars." "I left my pocket-book at home. I will go back and get the money." "Do you take me for a fool? You would come back with an officer of the law." "I promise you that I will lay no trap for you." Here Hugh seemed to hesitate. "I'll tell you what I'll do," he said, finally. "Leave the boy with me as a pledge, and I'll let you go." "Suppose I don't?" "I'll shoot you on the spot!" James Grey turned to Gilbert. "You hear what he says? Are you willing to remain with him while I go back and get the money?" Gilbert did not fancy the plan, and hesitated. "If there is no other way," he said, at length. "My friend," said Mr. Grey, "I will stay with you, and send the boy home." "I won't trust him," said Hugh, who had learned his lesson well. "Besides, he cannot get the money as well as you."