Part 9 (2/2)
”Yes. David Findley, so I believe. But he is only known as 'Crazy David' in this parish.”
As Jasper uttered these words, the man lying on the cot rose suddenly to a sitting position, and looked keenly into the face of the young man before him as if he would read his innermost thoughts. With an apparent effort he checked himself, and with a slight laugh resumed his former position.
”I got worked up over the hard luck of that old man,” he remarked. ”It is a downright shame that he should be called crazy, and misunderstood.
But, then, that has always been the way. Men who have done most for their fellow men have been looked upon with suspicion, and termed fools or madmen. May I see his drawings?”
For some time the stranger studied the rude lines old David had made upon the paper. Not the slightest mark escaped his notice, and he plied Jasper with numerous questions most of which the latter was unable to answer.
”I am fond of studying human nature,” the visitor at length volunteered, as if to explain his remarkable interest in the old man, ”and I must say that this is one of the most interesting cases I have ever come across. Here we have an old, poverty-stricken man, somewhat weak-minded, who has the vision and the enthusiasm of youth, combined with a child's simplicity. And he really believes that people of capital will carry out his ideas, does he?”
”Yes, he is sure of it.”
”And he has no doubts as to the final outcome?”
”No.”
”This scheme gives him considerable pleasure, I suppose.”
”Yes, it is his very life. It cheers him and buoys him up, and makes him treat all discomforts as of the present, which will vanish when once he comes into his own.”
”So he expects to get very rich, does he?”
”Oh, yes. He talks about what he will do when he has money. It certainly would be a great pity to take such a hope from him. I believe it would kill him at once.”
For a long time they talked, and it was late when they went to bed, the stranger with the chauffeur in the adjoining room, and Jasper upon the cot. The latter found it hard to get to sleep, as many thoughts kept surging through his mind. He wondered why his visitor should take such a keen interest in the welfare of old David. He recalled, too, his sudden start when David's name was mentioned, and the excuse which had been given did not altogether satisfy him.
Jasper was awake early next morning, and had the frugal breakfast ready by the time his two visitors came from their room. As soon as breakfast was over, the chauffeur left to look after the car. The stranger then pushed back his chair, lighted a cigar, and handed one to Jasper.
”Please do not trouble about the dishes now,” he began in a tone which somewhat surprised the young man.
”I have been thinking over what you told me last night, and am greatly impressed by the sad condition of that old man. You have no work in view, so I understand?”
”You are right,” Jasper replied.
”Well, then,” the other continued, ”I wish to make a definite proposition to you on several conditions. I wish to employ you for one month, and will give you one hundred and fifty dollars, if that will be satisfactory.”
It was Jasper's turn now to start, and look with astonishment at the man before him. Was he in earnest? he asked himself, or was he merely joking?
”Ah, I see you are astonished,” and the stranger smiled, ”but I a.s.sure you that I mean what I say, and to prove it, I shall pay you in advance.”
”But what are the conditions?” Jasper stammered.
”They are three,” the stranger replied after a slight pause. ”First, that you are to take special care of that old man. How you are to do it I shall explain later. In the next place you are to ask no questions as to why I am doing this. And last of all, you are not to say who is doing this, neither to the old man nor, in fact, to any one.”
For a few seconds Jasper looked at the stranger in a quizzical manner.
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