effect?"

"Oh yes! I will, I will!"

"But this is not all: you must tell me for what purpose you sought
me out here this morning?"

"Oh, brother! For nothing but your good. I had nothing at heart
but your unspeakable profit, and great and endless good."

"So, then, you indeed knew that I was here?"

"I was told so by a friend, but I did not believe him; a--a--at least
I did not know that it was true till I saw you."

"Tell me this one thing, then, Robert, and all shall he forgotten
and forgiven. Who was that friend?"

"You do not know him."

"How then does he know me?"

"I cannot tell."

"Was he here present with you to-day?"

"Yes; he was not far distant. He came to this hill with me."

"Where then is he now?"