Witness our hands and seals the day and year aforesaid.
"ROBERT BURNHAM." [L.S.]
"There!" said Burnham, handing the paper to Craft; "that will secure
you in the payment of the money, provided you fulfil your agreement.
But let me be plain with you. If you are deceiving me or trying to
deceive me, or if you should practise fraud on me, or attempt to do
so, you will surely regret it. And if that child be really in life,
and you have been guilty of any cruelty toward him, of any kind
whatever, you will look upon the world through prison bars, I promise
you, in spite of the money you may obtain from me. Now you understand;
go bring the boy."
The old man did not answer. He was holding the paper close to his
eyes, and going over it word by word.
"Yes," he said, finally; "I suppose it's all right. I'm not very
familiar with written contracts, but I'll venture it."
Burnham had risen again from his chair, and was striding up and down
the floor.
"When will you bring him?" he asked; "to-morrow?"
"My dear sir, do not be in too great haste; I am not gifted with
miraculous powers. I will bring the boy here or take you to him within
two days, as I have agreed."
"Well, then, to-day is Tuesday. Will you have him here by Friday?
Friday morning?"
"By Friday afternoon, at any rate."
The old man was carefully wrapping up the articles he had exhibited,
and putting them back into his hand-bag. Finally, Burnham's attention
was attracted to this proceeding.
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