cross
me that the room in which I was was not over the office, but over the
partners' room, and that therefore the sounds I heard must proceed from
thence.

What could they be up to? I heard a door open and shut, and a noise of
what might have been keys, followed by a heavy slamming-to of something
which, for the thud it gave, might have been the iron safe itself.

I felt very uncomfortable, but I was forced to remain chafing where I
was for nearly half an hour, when the lock of my prison turned and the
two entered the room. They both seized me as before.

"Now you can come down," said Masham.

"Not till he promises to say nothing about this," said Hawkesbury.

"He knows what to expect if he doesn't!" said Masham.

"After all," said Hawkesbury, "we didn't mean to hurt you; Masham and I
only wanted to settle some horse-racing and other scores, and as the
papers were all in my desk, we were bound to use the office, and of
course I couldn't ask him round any other time. If you'd been half a
gentleman, Batchelor, you would have left us at once."

"I don't believe you," I replied. "What did you want in the partners'
room, I should like to know, eh?"

"What!" exclaimed Hawkesbury, in a rage. "We were never there, were we,
Masham?"

"Never knew there was a partners' room," said Masham, "and if there had
been, what if we had been in it?"

"We were in the counting-house all the time," said Hawkesbury. Then he
added, "But come down now, and take my advice, Batchelor, and don't ruin
yourself."

"Ruin myself!" cried I, with a scornful laugh; "I don't see how letting
the partners know your goings on would ruin me."

"You'll see!" was the reply.

He doubtless considered the threat enough, but, knowing as I did that
Jack had told the partners everything Hawkesbury could possibly tell, I
could afford to treat it with contempt.

Masham took his departure, and I returned with Hawkesbury to the
counting-house, where we were soon joined by our fellow-clerks.

I was very uncomfortable, and hardly knew how to act. That it was my
duty to tell the partners what had happened I had no doubt; but how much
to tell them, and when, I could not make up my mind. I determined to
take Doubleday into my confidence, and get the advantage of his good
advice and clear head.

But it was easier said than done. Almost as soon as he came in
Doubleday had to go down to the docks, and the opportunity of consulting
him was thus delaye