Talk in reason, and I will hear." The man resumed his seat, and, with his eyes still in those of Jasper, said-- "I have talked in reason.

You are worth, so report says, not less than three hundred thousand dollars.

How the first hundred thousand came, is known, certainly, only to one man beside you and me.

In procuring that large sum I was a very prominent agent." "You have already been paid for your services a dozen times over." "There may be a difference of opinion about this," replied the man boldly--"and there _is_ a difference of opinion." "I have already advanced you over five thousand dollars." "What of that! Five thousand to three hundred thousand that you have made by the operation." "You are in error, Martin," said Jasper, with a blended look of perplexity and distress.

"I am not worth the sum you have mentioned--nothing like it.