"
"I shall be impatient to see him."
At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.
Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not
matter.
"I understand," said Col. Vincent, "that you have some information to
give us."
"I have; and that of a very important nature."
"Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now
in the possession of Mr. Manning?"
"If it were," said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye
"how much would it be worth?"
"I supposed it was for sale," said the colonel, quietly. "What is your
own idea?"
"I will take two thousand dollars."
"Suppose we say one thousand?"
"It is not enough."
"Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?" asked the
colonel, quietly.
Jonas Barton started.
"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.
"No; he concealed it."
"Is this true?"
"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled."
"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for
money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."
"Go on."
"I wrote the will which Mr.
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