"Don't get excited about this matter, Mr. Jasper," coolly returned Martin, whose name the reader has probably recognised as that of an agent employed by the merchant and Grind, the lawyer, some years before, in making investigations relative to the existence of coal on certain lands not far from Reading, Pennsylvania. "Don't get excited," he repeated. "That will do no good. I have not come to rob you. I don't ask you to give me ten thousand dollars. All I want is a loan, for which I will pledge good security." "What kind of security?" asked Jasper quickly. "Security on my lead-mine." "Pooh! I wouldn't give the snap of a finger for such security!" Jasper, thrown off his guard, spoke more contemptuously than was prudent. An instant change was visible in Martin, who, rising, commenced buttoning up his coat. There was about him every mark of a man deeply offended. "Good evening, sir!" said he, with a low, formal bow, yet with his eyes fixed searchingly in those of the merchant. "Martin,"--Jasper did not smile, nor was there in his voice the slightest affectation of good feeling--yet his manner and tone were both decisive,--"Martin, sit down again. Talk in reason, and I will hear." The man resumed his seat, and, with his eyes still in those of Jasper, said-- "I have talked in reason. You are worth, so report says, not less than three hundred thousand dollars. How the first hundred thousand came, is known, certainly, only to one man beside you and me. In procuring that large sum I was a very prominent agent." "You have already been paid for your services a dozen times over." "There may be a difference of opinion about this," replied the man boldly--"and there _is_ a difference of opinion." "I have already advanced you over five thousand dollars." "What of that! Five thousand to three hundred thousand that you have made by the operation." "You are in error, Martin," said Jasper, with a blended look of perplexity and distress. "I am not worth the sum you have mentioned--nothing like it. My losses during the past six months have been very heavy." "It is your interest to say this. I can credit as much of it as I please." "You are insulting! You presume on the power a knowledge of my affairs has given you. I will look for a more honourable agent the next time." "Honourable! Ha! ha!" The visitor laughed in a low, guttural voice. "Martin! I will not hear this from any living man." The face of Jasper was almost purple with suppressed anger. "Go!" he added. "Leave my house instantly. I defy you!" Scarcely had these words passed his lips, ere Martin glided from the drawing-room, and in a few moments the street-door shut with a heavy, reverberating jar. The merchant stood, like one bewildered, for a few moments, and then, as he sank into a chair, uttered a low groan. For a long time he remained as motionless as if sleeping. CHAPTER XVI.