. Wheeler did not, but he was only filling up the time. He had made up
his mind that the man before him was something more than the agent of
the thieves, and he now wished to protract the interview till Harry
should have had time to return with the two detectives.

"No," he replied, "I can hardly expect you to answer that question. I
should like to ask you, however, whether you have had any conversation
with your clients about the sum they would consider sufficient to repay
them for their 'trouble'?"

"Yes, sir; that subject has come up between us."

"Well?"

"I think, sir, you will have to multiply the reward you offer by ten."

"Whew!" exclaimed the lawyer, who was not at all surprised, however.
"This is a large sum."

"It is only about one-sixth the market value of the bonds."

"I don't think my client would consent to pay so large a sum as that."

"Then your client must be prepared to lose the whole amount."

"It appears to me that a thousand dollars would be an adequate, not to
say a handsome, reward."

"What would it amount to divided among four persons, after paying me my
commission?"

"Then there were four persons engaged in the theft?"

"Better say in the removal of the deposits. It sounds better."

"Call it so, if you like. Doesn't it occur to you that it hardly
required as many as four persons to remove the tin box, weighing with
its contents, not over two pounds?"

"I suppose one could have lifted it," said Vernon, smiling.

"True; but do you know it is my theory that two persons were engaged?"

Vernon started, and scanned his companion's face anxiously. Did he know
anything? That was what he asked himself.

"You can form any theories you please," he said, with a forced smile.
"They won't alter facts."

"You are right, Mr.----"

"You may call me Thompson."

"Very well, Mr. Thompson."

By this time a foot was heard upon the stairs. The door opened, and
Harry Gilbert entered.

He came forward, not appearing to notice the visitor, and placed in Mr.
Wheeler's hand a scrap of paper, on which he had written in pencil:

"The man with you is one of the robbers. I can identify him. I met him
as I was going out. The two detectives are in the entry. I thought it
best not to bring them in till I had a chance to tell you this."

Mr. Wheeler's eyes lighted up as he read this scrap, and he looked
approvingly at Harry.

"Quite right," he said. Then, turning to Vernon, he continued: "I don't
t