heavy ruler which happened to be lying on the desk,
and deeming that he and the other rascal were about to be left alone
together, he showed it shakily to Steinberg, as a hint that he was not
without means of protection against a man unarmed and bound.

Phil unlocked the door, inserted the key on the other side, disappeared,
and turned the lock anew. The two criminals heard his footstep sounding
elate, triumphant, and threatening to their ears as he went along the
boarded floor. They listened as the footstep crossed the square boulders
of the courtyard, and listened still until their sound melted into the
blended noises of the outer street. A minute later the step was heard
returning, accompanied by another, solid and terrible. They knew it, and
their hearts, low as they were already, sank at it. The door opened and
Phil reappeared, followed by a policeman.

'I give these two in charge,' the young man said, 'the one as the thief,
the other as the receiver of a bundle of bank-notes of the value of
eight thousand pounds, the property of my father, Mr. Philip Bommaney of
Coalporter's Alley.'

'I'm quite willing to go without resistance,' said Mr. Barter from
behind the table. 'I assisted in the capture, and I am ready to say
anything.'

'That's the first true word you've spoken,' Steinberg snarled. 'You can
take this thing off,' holding out his hands. 'I'll go quietly. I can get
bail in an hour.'

'Don't have it taken off, Mr. Bommaney, not if we're to travel in the
same vehicle. He threatened me while you were away. He said if they
gave him fifty years he'd kill me when he came out again. He'll do it,
because I made a clean breast of it, didn't I, Mr. Bommaney? I made a
clean breast of it, officer. I'm ready to--tell everything. He's ruined
me, and now he says he'll kill me because I'm ready to make a clean
breast of it.'

'I choose to be taken separately, if you please. I myself will pay the
fare. I won't travel with that cackling idiot.'

'I will go with Mr. Bommaney with pleasure,' said the penitent. 'I'll go
with you with pleasure anywhere. I'd rather go with you a great deal.'

It was hardly to be expected that Philip should feel very warmly towards
either of his two companions, but of the two he misliked Steinberg the
less. And, since it seemed humane and reasonable to choose, he chose
Steinberg as his travelling companion. The officer set Steinberg's hat
upon his head, and the quartet set out. The sight of