gave it up presently,
and made up the fire and chatted together in a whisper.

"Once or twice Durfy broke the silence.

"`I'm hungry,' growled he, about two o'clock.

"`So are we,' said Waterford.

"`Well, go and get something. I'm not going to be starved, I tell you.
I'll make you smart for it, both of you.'

"`You've been told to shut up,' said Waterford, rising to his feet with
a glance towards the drawer where the cord was kept.

"Durfy was quiet after that for an hour or so. Then I suppose he must
have overheard me saying something to Waterford about you, for he broke
out with a vicious laugh,--

"`Reginald! Yes, he'll thank you for this. I'll make it so hot for
him--'

"`Look here,' said Waterford, `this is the last time you're going to be
cautioned, Durfy. If you open your mouth once more you'll be gagged;
mind that. I mean what I say.'

"This was quite enough for Durfy. He made no further attempt to speak,
but curled himself up on the floor and turned his face to the wall, and
disposed himself to all appearances to sleep. Whether he succeeded or
not I can't say. But towards morning he glowered round at us. Then he
took out some tobacco and commenced chewing it, and finally turned his
back on us again and continued dozing and chewing alternately till the
eight o'clock bell rang and aroused us.

"Half an hour later Granville arrived, and a glance at our group was
quite sufficient to acquaint him with the state of affairs.

"`So this is the man,' said he, pointing to Durfy.

"`Yes, sir. We caught him in the act of taking a letter out of the box
at midnight. In fact, he's got it in his pocket this moment.'

"Durfy gave a fiendish grin, and said,--

"`That's a lie. I've no letter in my pocket!'

"And he proceeded to turn his pockets one after the other inside out.

"`All I know is we both saw him take a letter out of the box and put it
in his pocket,' said Waterford.

"`Yes,' snarled Durfy, `and I told you it was a private letter of my
own.'

"`Whatever the letter is, you took it out of the box, and you had better
show it quietly,' said Granville; `it will save you trouble.'

"`I tell you I have no letter,' replied Durfy again.

"`Very well, then, Cruden, perhaps you will kindly fetch a policeman.'

"I started to go, but Durfy broke out, this time in tones of sincere
terror,--

"`Don't do that, don't ruin me! I did take it, but--'

"`Give it to me then.'

"`I can't. I've