value to me."

"But not to a thief. Anything else?"

"Yes; I have a tin box containing four thousand dollars in government
bonds."

"Coupon or registered?"

"Coupon."

"Nothing could be better--for a burglar. What on earth could induce you
to keep the bonds in your own safe?"

"To tell the truth, I considered them quite as safe there as in the
bank. Banks are more likely to be robbed than private individuals."

"Circumstances alter cases. Does anyone know that you have the bonds in
your safe?"

"My bookkeeper is aware of it."

"Then, my friend, I caution you to remove the bonds from so unsafe a
depository as soon as possible. Unless I am greatly mistaken, this man,
Stark, has bought over your bookkeeper, and will have his aid in robbing
you."

"What is your advice?"

"To remove the bonds this very evening," said Thorndike.

"Do you think the danger so pressing?"

"Of course I don't know that an attempt will be made to-night, but it
is quite possible. Should it be so, you would have an opportunity to
realize that delays are dangerous."

"Should Mr. Gibbon find, on opening the safe to-morrow morning, that the
box is gone, it may lead to an attack upon my house."

"I wish you to leave the box in the safe."

"But I understand that you advised me to remove it."

"Not the box, but the bonds. Listen to my plan. Cut out some newspaper
slips of about the same bulk as the bonds, put them in place of the
bonds in the box, and quietly transfer the bonds in your pocket to your
own house. To-morrow you can place them in the bank. Should no burglary
be attempted, let the box remain in the safe, just as if its contents
were valuable."

"Your advice is good, and I will adopt it," said Jennings, "and thank
you for your valuable and friendly instruction."

"If agreeable to you I will accompany you to the office at once. The
bonds cannot be removed too soon. Then if anyone sees us entering, it
will be thought that you are showing me the factory. It will divert
suspicion, even if we are seen by Stark or your bookkeeper."

"May I go, too?" asked Carl, eagerly.

"Certainly," said the manufacturer. "I know, Carl, that you are devoted
to my interests. It is a comfort to know this, now that I have cause to
suspect my bookkeeper."

It was only a little after nine. The night was moderately dark, and Carl
was intrusted with a wax candle, which he put in his pocket for use in
the office. They reached the factory without