you in investing with those
people. If you go with me, to the appointed place, ahead of time, and
we hide close enough to witness the whole transaction, then you'll
believe all that I've been telling you, won't you?"

"Of course," nodded Mr. Emerson, speaking thickly. His whole soul
revolted at the treachery of such a transaction, which made him add:

"But won't you and your son, Melville, be in as bad a light through
profiting by such infernal treachery?"

"We would, if we _did_ profit," replied George Melville, flushing.
"However, as soon as Don has dismissed the young blackguard, Benson,
my son will touch a lighted match to the papers and burn them all, with
yourself looking on. What do you say, Emerson?"

"It's a mean kind of business to take any part in," protested Broughton
Emerson, hoarsely. "But--yes, I'll go, for if such things can be done
it is my duty to myself to know."

Plans were thereupon made for the meeting in the evening. Broughton
Emerson, honorable and broad-minded went away from that meeting heavy
of heart. He hated the whole business, and yet he admitted to himself
that he must know the truth ere he invested a fortune in other folks'
business game. Yet, weighed down by the sickening feeling that, at best,
he was about to play the spy, Mr. Emerson presently called up Jacob
Farnum on the telephone.

"Farnum," he said, "I understand that something is to happen, to-night,
that you and I ought to know."

"What is it?" asked the boatbuilder, alive with curiosity.

"I'll give you a chance to find out, to-night, but you must pledge me
your word that you won't breathe a word of this, until afterwards, to
anyone, not even to Pollard. Just come along and learn what you learn,
then act as you please. Will you agree to that?"

"Yes," promised Mr. Farnum.

"Good enough. Then be at--" Broughton Emerson followed with directions
for late the coming evening. He did not explain who was to be spied
upon, or anything of the nature of the business, though he did add:

"Don't be surprised, Farnum, no matter whom you see me with. It's all
a part of the night's walk. Just follow us both, without letting your
presence be known at any stage. I know this all sounds mysterious, but
believe me, it's going to be vastly worth your while."

The remainder of the afternoon the boatbuilder's heart was, somehow,
heavy with undefined dread as to what he was to learn that night.

In the middle of the aftern