Jack was somewhat surprised at the old man's visit.
"How long are you going to keep me cooped up here?" he inquired,
impatiently.
"Don't you find your quarters comfortable?" asked Foley.
"As comfortable as any prison, I suppose."
"My young friend, don't talk of imprisonment. You make me shudder.
You must banish all thoughts of such a disagreeable subject."
"I wish I could," groaned poor Jack.
"Consider yourself as my guest, whom I delight to entertain."
"But, I don't like the entertainment."
"The more the pity."
"How long is this going to last? Even a prisoner knows the term of
his imprisonment."
"My young friend," said Foley, "I do not desire to control your
inclinations. I am ready to let you go whenever you say the word."
"You are?" returned Jack, incredulously. "Then suppose I ask you to
let me go immediately."
"Certainly, I will; but upon one condition."
"What is it?"
"It so happens, my young friend, that you are acquainted with a
secret which might prove troublesome to me."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, mystified.
"Yes; you see I have found it out. Such things do not escape me."
"I don't know what you mean," returned Jack, perplexed.
"No doubt, no doubt,", said Foley, cunningly. "Of course, if I
should tell you that I was in the coining business, it would be
altogether new to you.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131