"If I couldn't just exactly give what you'd call exact and definite news, you'd consider it the same thing if I made a suggestion, wouldn't you, now, Mr.Hugh ?--a suggestion that would lead to something ?" "Aye, would I!" I exclaimed.

"And if you've got any suggestions, Scott, out with them, and don't beat about! Tell me anything that'll lead to discovery, and you'll see your ten pound quickly." "Well," he answered, "I have to be certain, for I'm a poor man, as you know, with a young family, and it would be a poor thing for me to hint at aught that would take the bread out of their mouths--and my own.

And I have the chance of a fine, regular job now at Hathercleugh yonder, and I wouldn't like to be putting it in peril." "It's Hathercleugh you're talking of, then ?" I asked him eagerly.

"For God's sake, man, out with it! What is it you can tell me ?" "Not a word to a soul of what I say, then, at any time, present or future, Mr.Hugh ?" he urged.
"Oh, man, not a word!" I cried impatiently.

"I'll never let on that I had speech of you in the matter!" "Well, then," he whispered, getting himself still closer: "mind you, I can't say anything for certain--it's only a hint I'm giving you; but if I were in your shoes, I'd take a quiet look round yon old part of Hathercleugh House--I would so! It's never used, as you'll know--nobody ever goes near it; but, Mr.Hugh, whoever and however it is, there's somebody in it now!" "The old part!" I exclaimed.