"You seem very solicitous of the interests of a stranger, as it is not to be presumed that you have any ulterior motive in making this suggestion." Hobson appeared to ignore the sarcasm.

"It is barely possible," he continued, in his most ingratiating tones, "that I may be in possession of facts which it would be to your advantage to learn." "In case you are, I suppose, of course, you would impart them to me simply out of pure disinterestedness, without a thought of pecuniary compensation ?" Hobson winced and glanced nervously about him.

"I must hasten," he said; "I cannot stop for explanations; but you will find me in my office at two o'clock to-morrow, if you care to call.

Meantime, my young friend, I am not perhaps as mercenary as you think, and I may be able to be of great assistance to you," and with a final bow, the man hastily disappeared around a turn of the winding walk.
Scott proceeded in the opposite direction in a deep study.

"Is it possible," he soliloquized, "that that creature is on my track and has any proposition to make to me?
Or, is he afraid that I know his secret, and that I may deprive him of his hold upon the Mainwarings?
More likely it is the latter.