he
clock."

"Mark!" cried Franklin, with an air of triumph.

"Upon my word, Mr. Jennings," said Mr. Blanchard, "we have been too
hasty--"

At this moment the door opened, and another person entered.

"Just in time," muttered Mr. Jennings.

It was Mr. Blake, chief partner in the firm of Blake, Blanchard & Co.
He was a venerable old gentleman, of an agreeable person, with a
certain dignity which well became his snow-white hair, but through
which, on the present occasion, appeared a settled firmness, almost a
sternness, boding no good.

"You have come in time," said Jennings. "Do you know what is going on
here?"

"I do. The facts have been related to me."

"And the famous defence?" added Jennings, with one of his worst
sneers, "do you know that also?"

"I do. It is a clear case. There is but one course for us."

"And yet," cried Jennings, "Mr. Blanchard has been thinking it will
not do to send so respectable a young lady to prison. But I say you
will not have a case in forty years so proper to make a wholesome
example of. If you let this one go, whom can you punish? Precautions
were useless, if thieves can commit their depredations under our very
noses with impunity."

"I am of your opinion," said Mr. Blake. "The offence is of a very
aggravated description; and I deem it absolutely necessary to send the
delinquent before a magistrate to be punished as she deserves."

"I have explained--" said Franklin.

But while he commenced once more his agonizing task, Mr. Jennings took
Mr. Blake aside, and whispered to him some minutes vehemently.
Franklin attempted to speak again.

"I will hear no explanation," said the old gentleman. "No argument--no
character--no references can prevail against so wicked a felony so
clearly proved. The youth, condition in life, and education of the
person, only render the crime more detestable, and the necessity for a
terrible example more unavoidable. Your own good sense should have
taught you, sir, that threats are here out of place, and violence can
only make matters worse. I have solemnly vowed that I would meet the
next case with the utmost rigor of the law. I am determined to
prosecute. Where is the prisoner? Policemen, take her into custody."

"But," cried Franklin.

"I will hear no more," said Mr. Blake, coldly and firmly. "Mr.
Jennings, who has gone over the case with the most attention, is
thoroughly convinced--"

"Thoroughly!" said Mr. Jennings.

"Policemen--"