o kick it open, so
that every one on the platform might scramble for the contents. But
again my infernal New England conscience restrained me.

Edgar had secured the drawing-room in the parlor-car, and when we were
safely inside and the door bolted my curiosity became stronger than my
pride.

"Edgar," I said, "your ingratitude is contemptible. Your suspicions are
ridiculous; but, under these most unusual conditions, I don't blame
you. But we are quite safe now. The door is fastened," I pointed
out ingratiatingly, "it and this train doesn't stop for another forty
minutes. I think this would be an excellent time to look at the
treasure."

"I don't!" said Edgar.

I sank back into my chair. With intense enjoyment I imagined the
train in which we were seated hurling itself into another train;
and everybody, including Edgar, or, rather, especially Edgar, being
instantly but painlessly killed. By such an act of an all-wise
Providence I would at once become heir to one million dollars. It was a
beautiful, satisfying dream. Even MY conscience accepted it with a smug
smile. It was so vivid a dream that I sat guiltily expectant, waiting
for the crash to come, for the shrieks and screams, for the rush of
escaping steam and breaking window-panes.

But it was far too good to be true. Without a jar the train carried us
and its precious burden in safety to the Jersey City terminal. And each,
with half a million dollars in his hand, hurried to the ferry, assailed
by porters, news-boys, hackmen. To them we were a couple of commuters
saving a dime by carrying our own hand-bags.

It was now six o'clock, and I pointed out to Edgar that at that hour
the only vaults open were those of the Night and Day Bank. And to that
institution in a taxicab we at once made our way. I paid the chauffeur,
and two minutes later, with a gasp of relief and rejoicing, I dropped
the suit-case I had carried on a table in the steel-walled fastnesses of
the vaults. Gathered excitedly around us were the officials of the bank,
summoned hastily from above, and watchmen in plain clothes, and watchmen
in uniforms of gray. Great bars as thick as my leg protected us. Walls
of chilled steel rising from solid rock stood between our treasure and
the outer world. Until then I had not known how tremendous the nervous
strain had been; but now it came home to me. I mopped the perspiration
from my forehead, I drew a deep breath.

"Edgar," I exclaimed happily, "I congratu