Part 21 (1/2)
”Shall I try?”
”Yes; you may try to-morrow night. If we make a haul, you shall have your share. Halloo, Marlowe!”
These last words were addressed to Marlowe, who entered unceremoniously without knocking.
”I'm in luck,” said Marlowe. ”Here's a fiver,” and he displayed a five-dollar greenback. ”Come out and we'll have a jolly supper.”
Jack accepted the invitation with alacrity, communicating to his companion as they walked along the information Julius had picked up.
CHAPTER XIII.
PAUL MAKES A PURCHASE.
It is not very pleasant to be informed that your house is to be entered by burglars. Still, if such an event is in prospect, it is well to know it beforehand. While Paul felt himself fortunate in receiving the information which Julius gave him, he also felt anxious.
However well he might be prepared to meet the attack, he did not like to have his mother and Jimmy in the house when it was made. Burglars in nearly every case are armed, and if brought to bay would doubtless use their arms, and the possible result of a chance shot was to be dreaded. On Monday night, therefore, if that should be the one decided upon by the burglars, he made up his mind that his mother and Jimmy should sleep out of the house. He lost no time in proposing this plan to his mother.
”Mother,” said he on reaching home, ”I have had some news to-day.”
”Not bad, I hope?” said Mrs. Hoffman.
”I leave you to judge,” answered Paul, with a smile. ”We are to have visitors next Monday evening.”
”Visitors, Paul? Who are they?”
”Mr. Jack Morgan and Mr. Marlowe.”
”Are they friends of yours? I never heard you mention them.”
”I never saw them that I know of.”
”Then why did you invite them here?”
”They invited themselves.”
”I don't understand it, Paul. If you don't know them, why should they invite themselves here?”
”Perhaps you'll understand me better, mother, when I tell you their business.”
”What is it?”
”They are burglars.”
”Burglars!” repeated Mrs. Hoffman, turning suddenly pale and sinking back into a chair, for she had been standing.
”Yes, mother. They have found out, though I can't tell how, that there are some bonds and plate in the safe upstairs, and that is their reason for coming.”
”How did you find out, Paul? What a dreadful thing!” gasped Mrs.
Hoffman.