"Are they entirely independent of each other ?" "We know nothing of the other," answered the solicitor.

"Except, of course, that it exists.

They're quite independent." "Who's offering the five hundred pound one ?" asked Glassdale.
The solicitor paused, looking his man over.

He saw at once that Glassdale had, or believed he had, something to tell--and was disposed to be unusually cautious about telling it.
"Well," he replied, after a pause.

"I believe--in fact, it's an open secret--that the offer of five hundred pounds is made by Dr.Ransford." "And--yours ?" inquired Glassdale.