ey, and turned it
over in cold fingers. Then a skeleton key had been used, for there was
the key in the lock at this moment. Winters must have been startled into
his retreat by some sudden noise, and have forgotten to remove the
evidence of his perfidy. Rapidly were several schemes turned over in his
mind. Should he walk over that way and attempt to lock the closet? No,
for then in view of all the conversation that had just occurred Winters
was sharp enough to know that he had been discovered, and desperate
enough, Theodore believed, to do anything. There was room enough in the
closet for two, or indeed three men, and perhaps the villain had
accomplices. Could he propose to Mr. Stephens that they carry the strong
box to his private room? No, for that would give the thief a chance to
escape if he chose through the library window; the same thing might
occur if he enticed Mr. Stephens from the room and told him the story.
Winters might suspect, was undoubtedly armed and ready for any desperate
action. All these thoughts flashed through Theodore's brain while Mr.
Stephens was reading down one page, and ere the leaf was turned he had
decided on his plan of action.

"Mr. Stephens," he said, speaking in his usual tone, and rising as he
spoke, "I have a little matter of business just around the corner from
here, which I think I will attend to while you are reading those
papers."

Mr. Stephens glanced up and laughed.

"I will recommend you for one of the night police," he said, gayly. "You
have business at all hours of the night in all imaginable places."

Meantime Theodore had been taking in the position of the strong box, and
decided that he could get a nearer view of it without exciting the
suspicion of Winters in the closet. It was, as he feared, unlocked and
empty! Now at all hazards the thief must not be suffered to escape.

"I will take your night-key, Mr. Stephens," said Theodore, quietly, "and
let myself in without ringing on my return."

A moment more and he stood alone on the granite steps. The night was
still and gloomy, the moon gave only a fitful glimmering now and then
as it peeped from between heavy clouds, the air was sharp and piercing,
but the young man on the steps felt in a white heat as he waited in
breathless anxiety for the advent of a policeman.

One thing he had determined upon, not to leave the steps where he stood
guard over the gray-haired unsuspicious man inside. There was no telling
how soo