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Page 63
The merchant sighed. He felt too deeply the force of Grind's remark.
"You know," said he, "this Martin better than I do. What is his
character? Is he a mere blusterer, whose bark is worse than his bite;
or is he vindictive and unscrupulous?"
"Both vindictive and unscrupulous. I must warn you not to provoke his
ill-will. He would take delight in exposing all he knows about this
business, if he is once fairly turned against you. A fast friend--he
is a bitter enemy."
"But see what a price he demands for his friendship! I have already
given him some five thousand dollars for his services, and now he
demands ten more. In a year he will be back, and coolly seek to levy a
contribution of twenty thousand dollars."
"I understood you to say that he only asked for a loan," remarks the
lawyer.
"A loan! That's mere mockery. If you placed ten thousand dollars in
his hands, would you ever expect to see the first copper of it again?"
Grind shrugged his shoulders.
"Of course you would not. It's a levy, not a loan--and so he, in his
heart, regards it."
"He's a dangerous man," said the lawyer, "and it's to be regretted
that you ever had any thing to do with him. But, now that your hand is
in the lion's mouth, the wisest thing is to get it out with as little
detriment as possible."
"Ten thousand dollars!" ejaculated the merchant. "Why, it's downright
robbery! He might just as well stop me on the highway."
"It's a hard case, I must own, Mr. Jasper. You might resist him, and,
at least not let him obtain what he demands without a struggle; but
the question is, may you not receive a mortal wound in the contest."
"Ah! that is the rub, Grind. Rather than meet the exposure he could
make, I would give twenty thousand dollars; yea, half, if not all I am
worth."
Can wealth, held on such a tenure, and in such a state of mind, be
called riches? Ah, no. How the possession is changed from a blessing
into a curse!
"Then, Mr. Jasper," replied the lawyer, "there is but one course plain
before you. If you make this man your enemy, he will surely pursue you
to the death. There is no pity in him."
Jasper groaned aloud. Ere he could reply, the door of the office
opened, and the individual about whom they were conversing entered.
With the skill of practised actors, each instantly assumed a part, and
hid, under a false exterior, their true states of mind. With something
of cordiality each greeted the other: while side-glances, unobserved
by Jasper, passed rapidly between Martin and the lawyer. A few
commonplace inquiries and remarks followed, when Jasper made a
movement to go, saying, as he did so--
"Mr. Martin, I will be pleased to see you some time to-day."
"Thank you; I will do myself the pleasure to call," was coolly
answered. "At what time will you be most at leisure?"
"During the afternoon. Say at four or five o'clock."
"I will be there at four," returned Martin, in a bland voice, and with
a courteous inclination of the head.
"Very well--you will find me in."
The merchant bowed to the accomplices--they were nothing better--and
retired.
"Humph! I didn't expect to find him here quite so early," said Martin,
with a sinister smile. "I rather guess I frightened him last night."
"I rather guess you did," returned the lawyer, his countenance
reflecting the light that played on the other's face.
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