That was perfectly natural, perfectly laudable, my young friend, and I admire the shrewdness and foresight with which you set about to accomplish your designs.

At the same time, I believe I am in a position to give you just the information and advice you need in order to insure your success." Both men had the same object in view.

Each wished to ascertain what the other knew concerning himself.

Scott, unable to determine whether Hobson had spoken at random or with an inkling of the facts, answered, coldly,-- "I do not know to what you refer, or on what grounds you base the inference which you seem to have drawn." "No?
Then you will allow me to remark, Mr.Scott, that such familiarity as yours with a portion of Hugh Mainwaring's private correspondence, extending back over a period of fifteen or more years, taking into consideration the facts that you cannot be much more than twenty-five years of age, and have only been about two years in Mr.Mainwaring's employ, would indicate that you had sought to acquaint yourself with some facts connected with your employer's early life with the express purpose of using the same to your own advantage." "You must see the inconsistency of such a supposition, when you consider that I have been in possession of these facts for some time--it is unnecessary to state how long--and have made no use of them whatever." "Possibly," said Hobson, with emphasis, "your knowledge of the facts may not have been definite enough to warrant your use of them." His voice and manner unconsciously betrayed the importance which he attached to Scott's reply.

The latter detected this, and answered evasively,-- "It is sufficiently definite for any own personal satisfaction in any event." Hobson shook his head.