, and appeared to be taking counsel with
himself, and at length, as if having formed his resolve, said,--

"Of course frankness with such a man is never a mistaken policy." And
with this muttered soliloquy again became silent.

CHAPTER VII. FORGERY

It was not "Flattery," he sold, but "Hope."

Bell.

We left Mr. Linton and Mr. Hammond seated opposite each other, the
former lost in seeming reflection, the latter awaiting with eager
expectancy for something which might explain the few strange words he
had just listened to.

"May I venture on a bit of confidence, Mr. Hammond?" said Linton,
clearing his brow as he spoke; "you'll never betray me?"

"Never--on my honor."

"Never, willingly, I well know; but I mean, will you strictly keep
what I shall tell you--for yourself alone--because, as I am the only
depositary of the fact, it would be inevitable ruin to me if it got
about?"

"I give you my solemn pledge--I promise."

"Quite enough--well--" Here he leaned on the other's shoulder, and
putting his lips close to his ear, said: "Malone will retire--Repton
will be chief--and"--here he prodded the listener with his
finger--"Attorney-General."

"You mean me, sir--do you mean that I am to be Attor--"

"Hush!" said Linton, in a long low note; "do not breathe it, even
in your sleep! If I know these things, it is because I am trusted in
quarters where men of far more influence are hoodwinked. Were I once to
be suspected of even this much, it would be 'up' with me forever."

"My dear friend--will you pardon me for calling you so?--I 'd suffer
the torture of the rack before I 'd divulge one syllable of it. I own
to you, my family and my friends in general have not been patient under
what they deemed the Government neglect of me."

"And with too good reason, sir," said Linton, assuming the look and
air of a moralizer. "And do you know why you have been passed over, Mr.
Hammond? I'll tell you, sir; because your talents were too brilliant,
and your integrity too spotless, for promotion, in times when inferior
capacities and more convenient consciences were easier tools to
handle!--Because you are not a man who, once placed in a conspicuous
position, can be consigned to darkness and neglect when his capabilities
have been proved to the world!--Because your knowledge, sir, your deep
insight into the political condition of this country, would soon have
placed you above the heads of the very men who appoi