our interest as much as ours to have him out of the way."

"Dat's all right, too, but its pay or no job, Hardwick."

"If I pay you now you may make a balk as you did before."

"No, dis will be a sure t'ing, I'll give yer me word."

"Then here you are."

A silence followed.

"Is that right?" asked Hardwick.

"Yes. But, remember, dis ain't part of dat t'ousand I'm ter have fer dat
udder work."

"I understand. Now, go for the coach, and I'll stay till you come back.
It's getting dark, and the street is almost deserted."

"I will. Better lock der door, and don't unlock it again till yer hear
four knocks; see?"

"Yes."

Macklin at once went off, and Hal heard Hardwick lock the door after him
as agreed, but the key was left in the lock.

By the conversation Hal knew it must be later than he had supposed.
Under cover of the darkness Macklin was going to bring a coach to the
place. For what purpose?

In spite of his naturally brave spirit, Hal shivered. He was in the
power of a desperate set of men, and he had learned enough of their
secrets to convict every one of them. They would not hesitate to do
anything to escape their just deserts.

"I must fight for it," he muttered to himself, "and now is the best time
to do it."

He opened the closet door cautiously, and peeped out. Hardwick sat in an
easy-chair, smoking savagely, as if he were out of humor. No one else
was in the place.

The office was heavily carpeted, so Hal made no noise as he stepped out
of the closet. He had to pass within five feet of Hardwick, who sat with
his back half turned to the boy.

Hardly daring to breathe, Hal tiptoed his way past Hardwick and into the
outer office, the door to which stood wide open. Here it was quite dark,
and the boy saw through the window that it was again snowing heavily.

At last the door was reached, and his hand was upon the key, ready to
turn it in the lock.

Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, Hardwick jumped to his feet and came
out. His intention was to examine something on one of the outer desks,
and when he beheld Hal he stared at the youth in blank amazement.

"Where--where--" he began.

Without saying a word, Hal turned the key and caught hold of the latch
of the door. Then, with something that sounded like the growl of a wild
animal, Hardwick pounced upon him.

"No, you don't!" he hissed. "You sha'n't escape this time. Come back
here!"

He caught Hal by the coat collar. The youth struggled