suspicion. So
after awhile he lay quiet, and pretended to be asleep. The men kept on
playing cards till half-past ten. Then Marlowe spoke:

"We'll hold up now. It's time to be goin'."

"What time is it?"

"Most eleven."

"The boy's asleep."

"Is he?"

Marlowe went to the bed and leaned over. Julius felt his breath on his
face, but gave no sign that he was still awake. He was filled with
curiosity to know whether Marlowe and Jack meant to carry out their
plan this evening.

"He seems to be asleep," said Marlowe, "but we'll lock him in, to make
sure. In three hours we'll be back, if all goes well, with plenty of
swag."

"I hope so, Marlowe. I've got tired of livin' this way; we'll go to
California if we come out right."

"I'm with you, Jack, on that. A pal of mine went out to the mines and
got rich. Then he swore off and turned respectable."

"So would I, if I had plenty of tin."

"I've no objection myself, with plenty of money to back me. Money's
what makes the difference between people in this world. Give me a
hundred thousand, and instead of bein' Tom Marlowe I would be Thomas
Marlowe, Esq., our eminent fellow-citizen, and you would be the Hon.
John Morgan, eh, Jack?"

Jack laughed at the unfamiliar title, though possibly he was no more
undeserving of it than some who flaunt it in the face of society.

"I'm the figger for an Honorable," he said. "But it's time to be
goin'. Here's good luck!" and he poured down a glass of the whisky at
one gulp.

They carefully locked the door behind them, and their heavy steps were
heard descending the rickety stairs.

Julius listened till the sound was no longer heard. Then he jumped up
from the pallet on which he had been counterfeiting sleep, and said to
himself, "It ain't safe to stay here any longer. How shall I get out?"

CHAPTER XVII.

TRAPPED.

It was close upon midnight when Marlowe and Jack approached the house
in Madison avenue. There was one thing connected with the position of
the house, not before mentioned, which favored their attempt. It was a
corner house, and in the rear a high wall separated the area from the
street. The two confederates judged that this would be the most
feasible way of entrance.

"Boost me up, Marlowe, first," said Jack Morgan. "You're lighter'n me,
and can get up alone. I'm fat and clumsy, and I couldn't 'go it alone'
to save my neck."

"All right, Jack. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Shove away."

Jack, raised by his