do you reside?" asked Oscar.

"I am temporarily residing in New York. I am studying typewriting. I
hope to be able to earn my own living as a typewriter, but it would be a
grand thing for me if I could secure a few hundred dollars out of the
reward."

"Is it your desire to obtain the reward, or is it your main purpose to
save your brother?"

"It is my main purpose to save my brother. I do not care for the reward
on my own account solely, but with it I can send my brother away. I
believe he will learn a lesson that will last him all his life when
those men are arrested and punished. And with the money he will have a
chance to make a fresh start in some other city."

Oscar thought the matter over, and we will admit that there was no doubt
in his mind as to the genuineness of the story he had listened to. It
did not appear that there was the least possibility of its being a false
tale. It was not the beautiful face of the narrator and proposer that
had led him to this conclusion. It was the probability and
reasonableness of the story itself; but with his usual caution he
determined to investigate. He was not prepared to accept any statement,
no matter how probable and reasonable, without absolute proof. Still, as
intimated, there was no question in his mind as to the genuineness of
the information and the sincerity of the proposition.

"How do you intend to proceed?" he asked.

"In order to obtain the reward you must not only secure the men but
convict them," said the beauty.

"That is true."

Oscar was a little disturbed here at the girl's singular knowledge and
shrewdness.

"These men have constant meetings with my brother."

"Where?"

"At the little house where I and my brother reside."

"Where is that house located?"

"In Brooklyn."

"And these men go to your home?"

"Yes."

"Do they know you are acquainted with the purpose of their visits?"

"No."

"Are the plates in this house?"

"No."

"Where are they?"

"I do not know. I only propose to furnish you the opening clues and let
you follow them up and find the plates and all the evidence."

"Your brother knows where the plates are concealed?"

"He does."

"Can you not secure the information from him?"

"I cannot. I have tried to do so, but he tells me he is bound by
terrible oaths not to reveal where the workshop is located."

"He never works at your home?"

"Never. He is often gone away all night. I think they work at night."

"