ounds like a bribe."

"It is," said Geoffrey coolly.

"I never received such a proposition," returned the man.

"That scheme won't do, Holland," put in McVay. "Can't you see it lays
you open to blackmail?"

"From you?" said Geoffrey. "I had thought of that, but you can't
blackmail me at La Santa Anna, and if you get away and come close enough
to blackmail me, I'll put you in prison without a moment's hesitation. I
shall be in a position by that time to take care of the feelings of the
other people concerned."

"You don't understand me," answered McVay; "I meant blackmail from this
man."

"Oh," said Geoffrey civilly, "I am convinced he is not a blackmailer.
And besides, he won't get his second five thousand for a year, and as I
was saying to you, after a year I don't so much mind having the whole
thing known. My reputation will stand it, I think, if yours and his
will."

"I'm no blackmailer," said this detective. "If I accept, I'll be on the
square."

"If you do, let me offer you a piece of advice," observed Geoffrey, "and
that is not to take your eye off that man for a single instant. He is a
slippery customer, and you run a fair chance of not seeing my money at
all, if you give him the smallest loophole."

The detective considered McVay carefully from head to foot. Then he said
gravely:

"Is there any way of getting to this place of yours by water? I don't
see my way to taking this customer in a Pullman car. If he chooses to
slip overboard from a boat, why no one would be any the worse, unless
maybe the sharks."

"Very true," agreed Geoffrey amiably. "Fortunately you can get a steamer
in New York."

It soon became apparent that the detective failed to see any good reason
for declining so advantageous an offer as Geoffrey's, and they were
presently deep in the discussion of their plans, McVay meanwhile
studying the map with unfeigned interest in the situation of his future
residence.

Cecilia, fortunately, gave them plenty of time for their arrangements,
for she had fallen asleep again, after the alarm of the early morning,
and the men must have been talking for two hours when she appeared at
the library door.

She cast a look of surprise at the addition to their party and Geoffrey
saw with a sort of paralysis that she was inclined to set him down as
the burglar whose footsteps she had heard in the night. To prevent any
betrayal of this opinion, Geoffrey advanced a few steps to meet her,
although as