sharp enough not to appear particularly
interested.

So Saturday night came. At six o'clock Julius entered the room and
found the two seated together. He had had half a mind not to appear at
all, but to cut loose from them forever; but this would lead to
suspicion, and he changed his mind. Though he had not seen Paul since,
he had reason to believe that he had made preparations to receive the
two burglars. In all probability they would be arrested, and this
would be their last meeting.

"How are you, Jack?" he said, as he entered the room, with a little
qualm at the thought that this man, bad as he was, was so near falling
into the hands of justice, and by his means.

Jack looked at him, but did not answer. His expression was menacing,
as Julius perceived, and his heart beat more quickly, as he thought,
"Has he found out anything?"

But luckily for him neither Jack nor Marlowe knew anything definite.
Had it been so, the boy's life would have been in peril.

"Have you seen young Hoffman to-day?" asked Marlowe.

"No."

"He don't know we're going to call Monday night, does he?"

"No," said Julius, and he answered truly. "Where could he find out?"

"You might say something to let him know."

"What would make me do that?" said Julius boldly.

"You might think he'd pay you for telling him."

"He ain't rich," said Julius.

"Do you know what I'd do to you if I found out as you'd sold us," here
broke in Jack Morgan, his dull eyes gleaming fiercely. "I'd kill you."

"What makes you say that to me, Jack?" said Julius, not showing the
fear he felt.

"Oh, it ain't nothin' to you, then?"

"No, it isn't."

Of course this was a falsehood, but it would have been idle to expect
the truth from one like Julius, under such circumstances. He knew Jack
well enough to understand that he was quite capable of carrying out
his threat, and it decided him, when the two went out, to go out
himself and not to return. They might find out that he had been
dealing falsely with them, and if so his life was in danger. It was
yet early, and he decided to go out at once, as he usually did, for it
was not very agreeable to pass an entire evening in the miserable
tenement rooms.

"Where are you going?" asked Marlowe, as he lifted the latch of the
door.

"I'm goin' out. I haven't had any supper."

"You can do without supper to-night, eh, Jack?"

"Yes, he can do without supper to-night."

"Why? What's up?" demanded the boy.

"Ne