it Saturday night.'"

"Saturday night!" repeated Paul in excitement. "Why, that's to-morrow
night."

Julius nodded.

"Do they know you overheard?"

"No."

"So you came and told me. You're a good fellow, Julius. You have done
me a great favor."

"You've been good to me," said Julius. "That's why I did it."

"I shall be ready for them to-morrow night, then," said Paul.

This conference was watched, though neither Julius nor Paul was aware
of it. Marlowe, on leaving the room some time after Julius, had come
into the vicinity with the design of getting a view of Paul and
ascertaining whether he was the boy whom he had seen purchasing the
coat. He came up a moment after Julius reached the stand. Of course he
identified Paul, and his suspicions as to the good understanding
between him and Julius were confirmed by seeing them together. He
listened intently, hoping to catch something of their conversation,
but though not far off, the street noises were such as to render this
impossible.

"The young viper!" he said to himself. "He's sold us, as sure as my
name's Marlowe. I'll wring his neck for him. He'll find he's got into
dangerous business."

He went back and reported to Jack what he had seen.

"If I thought the boy was playin' us a trick," growled Jack, "I'd
strangle him; but I ain't sure. You didn't hear what he said?"

"No; I couldn't hear, but it stands to reason that he's sold us."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing yet. The boy don't know that we have changed our plans. He
thinks we trust him. Let him think so, and when we get ready to go out
Saturday night, we'll tie him hand and foot, so he can't stir. Then
we'll go up to the house and take 'em unprepared."

"All right," said Jack. "Your head's longer than mine, Marlowe. You
know best."

"Of course I do," said Marlowe. "You've got the strength and I've got
the brain."

Jack Morgan extended his arms, and watched his muscular development
with satisfaction. He was not sensitive about the slight to his
understanding. He was content to be thought what he was, a strong and
dangerous animal.

What preparations were necessary to be made were made during that day
and the next by the two confederates. They were made during the
absence of Julius, that he might know nothing of what was going on.
Further to mislead him, the two spoke two or three times on the
previous evening of their expedition of Monday night. Julius fathomed
their design, and was