end ninety-nine
times out of a hundred. There is no romance in crime; it is always a
dark record.

"Credo," said Oscar, "you have it nicely arranged here."

"Yes, sir, it's perfect for the matter you have in hand."

"What matter have you in hand?"

"You know."

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"Well?"

"I get the information and trade it. I've traded valuable information to
you."

"That is true, and between us it is business. You were not aware that I
was on to this arrangement?"

The man stared.

"No, I was not."

"Well, I am going to avail myself of this trick staircase, but keep very
shady. Some of the lads are outside; they must not close in if I am gone
some time. Give them a signal when they rush in, or they might do
something rash. The rest of the fellows have not the confidence in you
that I have, and they might suspect something. Be on the lookout, and if
necessary show one of them where I am, for my orders have been very
strict."

There was no misunderstanding on the part of Credo. He smiled and said:

"I take what you mean. No, no, I've no such notion. It's business with
us; that's right. I am not going to free myself this way, and here it is
on the square. I'd rather make a stake this way, for if a man dies, he
dies sudden--he don't linger."

"We understand then?"

"Yes."

"All right, I am going to take in the meeting upstairs."

Oscar drew his mask lantern, slipped into the opening after a thorough
examination of the whole contrivance and then he said:

"Close the door, old man, close the door."

The door did close and immediately our hero opened it. He looked out and
said:

"Play very close to-night, Credo: don't let your customers, if you have
any, fall to us."

"The people are all at a ball. I'll have no visitors to-night except it
may be a straggler."

"All right, close the door."

Oscar believed he had taken every precaution, and indeed he had; and
under all the circumstances he was very cool, but for him it was a big
night and the most important consequences were destined to follow, and
he knew it.

With his lantern properly adjusted he ascended the stairs and in good
time arrived at the place where he was to take in his news. He had been
fully instructed and he found everything just as the man Credo had
stated. Well, the arrangement was indeed a good one, and he mentally
concluded:

"That fellow Credo is a genius; it's a pity he is not an honest man."

Oscar could see into th