ded, was the safest and surest.

"But it is a diabolical transaction," suggested Maxwell.

"Call it what you will, it is the only one that will work well."

Maxwell remained silent. He was studying to make this scheme subservient
to his own purpose. He was obliged to confess to himself that his hopes
with the heiress were worse than folly, and he judged that the execution
of Jaspar's scheme would remove his rival. He looked forward years, and
saw his own purpose gained by means of Jaspar's plan. It was true that
he and Jaspar both could not have her estates; but then Jaspar was a
villain, and it would be a good service, at a convenient season, to be a
traitor to him. His plans were arranged, and he determined to encourage
his companion to proceed, though, at the same time, to seem unwilling,
and to keep his own hands clean from all participation in it.

After this long interval of silence, which Jaspar had endured with
patience, for he recognized the truth of the saying, that "He who
deliberates is damned," Maxwell said,

"I cannot consent to stain my hands with such gross injustice."

"You cannot!" sneered Jaspar.

"It would ruin me."

"It was part of my intention to keep the transaction a secret," said
Jaspar, sarcastically.

"Of course, and your confidence in me shall not be misplaced."

Jaspar's fists were clenched, and a demoniacal expression rested on his
countenance, as he said, savagely,

"You know your own interest too well to do otherwise."

"I am not to be intimidated," replied Maxwell, who despised his
companion most heartily, and did not relish his tyrannical manner. "Your
confidence, I repeat, is safe. _Honor_ will keep your secret,--threats
will not compel me to do so."

"_Honor_! ha, ha, ha!" chuckled Jaspar. "Do you know, Maxwell, that you
are a ---- fool, to talk to me of your honor?"

"Would you insult me, sir?" said, Maxwell, with vehemence.

"O, no, my fine fellow! _Your_ honor!--ha, ha!" returned Jaspar, taking
from his pocket a little slip of paper. "Look here, my _honorable_
worthy, do you know this check?"

Maxwell's face assumed a livid hue, and a convulsive tremor passed
through his frame, as he read the check.

In a moment of temporary embarrassment he had been tempted to forge the
name of Colonel Dumont to this check, for five hundred dollars, to
liquidate a debt of honor, not doubting that he should be able to obtain
it again before the day of settlement at the bank, by