"
"Then they once were the property of Gerard?"
"Hardly that. They were gained by my own pains, and often
paid for with my own purse. Claimed by no one, I parted with
them to a person to whom they were valuable. It is not merely
to serve Gerard that I want them now, though I would willingly
serve him. I have need of some of these papers with respect
to an ancient title, a claim to which by a person in whom I am
interested they would substantiate. Now listen, good friend
Morley; moral force is a fine thing especially in speculation,
and so is a community of goods especially when a man has no
property, but when you have lived as long as I have and have
tasted of the world's delight, you'll comprehend the rapture
of acquisition, and learn that it is generally secured by very
coarse means. Come, I have a mind that you should prosper.
The public spirit is inflamed here; you are a leader of the
people. Let us have another meeting on the Moor, a
preconcerted outbreak; you can put your fingers in a trice on
the men who will do our work. Mowbray Castle is in their
possession; we secure our object. You shall have ten thousand
pounds on the nail, and I will take you back to London with me
besides and teach you what is fortune.
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