"_I have a scheme_"
"What?"
A yell answered him.
"Something hit me! Something hit me!"
"Yes, I hit you; and I'll hit you again if you don't go on."
Fellows shivered, attempted some puerile protest, balked, and
stammeringly obeyed his restless and irritated companion.
"I--I said--I wasn't such a fool then as I am now--that she had lied
when she told me that she had the combination. There was no combination.
The safe did not even have a lock. The door opened with a spring. How
had she induced that spring to give way? I demanded to know."
"And did she tell you?"
"No. She merely repeated, 'I will scream, and that will cause a scandal
which will lead to your discharge, not mine.' So--so, I came out."
"Blast your eyes! And when did _she_ come out?"
"Within five minutes. I watched the clock."
"And what did she have?"
"Nothing in sight."
"I see. A deep game. But I know a deeper. There is no possibility of
breaking into that safe by night, undetected by the watchman?"
"None; and that watchman is incorruptible. The whole contents of the
safe wouldn't move him to connect himself with this job."
"The job must be done by day and during office hours?"
"Yes."
"And cannot be done without the assistance of this girl?"
"You've heard."
"Very well; I have a scheme. Now listen to me."
Not even the rat which at that minute nibbled at Fellows's boot heel
could have heard what followed. The panting of two breasts was, however,
audible; and when, fifty minutes later, both crawled out of the cellar
window among the rubbish which littered the rear of this once holy
place, the one was trembling with excitement and the other with fear.
They parted at the first thoroughfare, neither having eyes to see nor
hearts to appreciate the touching scene which miles away was taking
place in a little flat not very far from Harlem. An old man, frail in
body, but with a sturdy spirit yet, was looking up from his pillow at
the loving face of a young girl who was bending over him.
"I cannot sleep to-night," he said to her; "I cannot sleep; but that
must not disturb you. I have so many things to think, pleasant things;
but you have only cares, and must rest from them. You look very tired
to-night, tired and worried. Leave me and sleep. I want to see you
bright in the morning."
[Illustration: "_An old man was looking up at the loving face of a young
girl_"]