At this Jimmy began to cry again, and Paul hastened to say: "Don't be
afraid; I don't mean to have you sleep in the house that night."

"Where can we go?"

"I think Mrs. Norton will let you stop with her that night."

"And you will come, too, Paul?" said Mrs. Hoffman.

"And let the house be robbed, mother? What would Mr. Talbot think of
that?"

"But you will be killed. What can you do against such bad men?"

"What would you recommend, mother?" asked Paul.

"You might write a letter to them, telling them you knew all about
their plan and you would have them arrested if they came."

"I don't think, mother," said Paul, laughing, "that that would be the
best course. I want to get them here and catch them. Then they can be
shut up, and we shall be safe from any further attempts. I am going to
police headquarters, and they will tell me what to do. Probably two or
three officers will be concealed in the house, and when the burglars
are fairly in will arrest them."

"You needn't stay, Paul."

"It is my duty, mother. We are left by Mr. Talbot in charge of the
house and what it contains. Some of us ought to be here at such a
time. I will take care not to get into danger."

Mrs. Hoffman was a woman and a mother, and it was with difficulty that
Paul could convince her that it was his duty to remain. At length,
however, she acquiesced, and agreed to go and see Mrs. Norton the next
day and ask permission to remain with her on Monday night.

The next day Julius came to Paul's stand.

"Is there any news, Julius?" asked Paul.

"Nothin' much," said Julius. "Jack wants me to call up to your house
and find out where the gold is kept."

"How does he think you are going to do it without my suspecting?"

"He told me to go up and ask for some old clothes. Then, if you didn't
let me into the house, I was to ask for something to eat."

"A good plan." said Paul. "When are you coming?"

"To-night."

"Very well; I'll be ready for you. Is there any change in the
evening?"

"No. They're comin' Monday night."

"I'll be ready for them," said Paul.

"What are you goin' to do?" asked Julius, and he fixed a pair of
sharp, black eyes on Paul.

"Can I trust you, Julius?" demanded Paul, with a keen glance at the
boy.

"Yes," said Julius.

"Then," said Paul, "I mean to have them arrested. They'll walk into a
trap."

Julius looked thoughtful.

"Don't you like it, Julius?"

"I dunno," said the boy, slowly.

"Do you like