Part 27 (1/2)

”Shall you see him to-day?”

”If you want me to.”

”I don't know,” said Marlowe. ”Do you know where he sleeps?”

”No,” said Julius. ”You didn't tell me to ask.”

”Of course not. It would only make him suspect something. But I didn't know but you heard something said, as you did about the safe.”

He eyed Julius keenly as he spoke, and the boy perceiving it, concluded that this was the cause of the sudden suspicion which appeared to have been formed in Marlowe's mind. Of course he knew nothing of the coat, as Paul had not told him of having purchased it.

”I didn't hear nothin' said about it,” he answered. ”If he's away, you won't mind.”

”That's true. I suppose you didn't find out where his mother sleeps.”

”Yes, I did. It's the front bas.e.m.e.nt. There was a bed in the room.”

Marlowe asked no further questions, and the conversation dropped.

Julius threw his blacking-box over his back, and opening the door went out. His mind was busily occupied with the revelation which he had unexpectedly overhead. It seemed clear that the plans of the burglars had been changed, and that the attack was to be made on Sat.u.r.day night, and not on Monday night, as first proposed. He must tell Paul Hoffman, for he had made his choice between his new friend and his old guardian. On the one side was respectability; on the other a disreputable life, and Julius had seen enough of what it had brought to Jack not to relish the prospect in his own case. He determined to acquaint Paul with the change of plan, and went around to Broadway for that purpose. But Paul had not got opened for business. He had delayed in order to do an errand for his mother.

”I can go later,” thought Julius. ”It will do just as well.”

In this he was mistaken, as we shall see.

CHAPTER XVI.

LOCKED UP FOR THE NIGHT.

About nine o'clock, after a comfortable breakfast, for which he had paid out of his morning's earnings, Julius went round again to Paul's necktie stand. He had just opened for business when the boy came up.

”You're late this mornin',” said Julius. ”I was here before.”

”Yes; I was detained at home. Is there anything new?”

”Yes, there is,” said Julius.

”What is it?”

”They suspect somethin'.”

”Who?”

”Jack and Marlowe. They think I ain't to be trusted.”

”How do you know? Did they tell you so?” inquired Paul, with interest.

”No; Marlowe talked in his sleep.”

”What did he say?”