CHAPTER XX. LAYING THE TRAIN.

 Very early the next morning Dan rang the bell at Mr. Rogers' residence.

 

"Can I see Mr. Rogers?" he asked.

 

"The master won't be up for an hour," said the servant.

 

"Tell him Dan wishes to see him on business of importance."

 

The girl shrugged¹ her shoulders.

 

"I don't think he'll see you. He was up late last night," she said.

 

"Never mind. Let him know I am here."

 

"It's very important you make yourself," said Susan, crossly.

 

"I am a person of great importance," said Dan, smiling. "Mr. Rogers will see me, you'll find."

 

Two minutes later Susan descended² the stairs a little bewildered.

 

"You're to walk into the parlor," she said. "Master'll be down directly."

 

Dan did not have long to wait. Mr. Rogers came[Pg 155] down stairs almost directly in dressing-gown and slippers³.

 

"Well, Dan, what is it?" he asked.

 

"The store is to be broken open to-night and the safe robbed!" said Dan.

 

"Good heavens! By whom?"

 

"By two men living in Houston street—at least, one lives there."

 

"Have you any more to tell?"

 

"Yes, sir; they are employed by Mr. Talbot."

 

Mr. Rogers started.

 

"Are you sure of this?" he asked.

 

"Quite sure."

 

"How did you find out?"

 

"Partly by accident, sir."

 

"Go on. Tell me all."

 

Dan rehearsed the story, already familiar to our readers, combining with it some further information he had drawn⁴ from the woman.

 

"I didn't think Talbot capable of this," said Mr. Rogers. "He has been in our employ for ten years. I don't like to think of his treachery, but, unhappily, there is no reason to doubt it. Now, Dan, what is your advice?"

 

"I am afraid my advice wouldn't be worth much, Mr. Rogers," said Dan, modestly.

 

"I am not sure of that. I am indebted to you for[Pg 156] this important discovery. You are keen and ready-witted. I won't promise to follow your advice, but I should like to hear it."

 

"Then, sir, I will ask you a question. Do you want to prevent the robbery, or to catch the men in the act?"

 

"I wish to catch the burglars in the act."

 

"Then, sir, can you stay away from the store to-day?"

 

"Why?"

 

"Your looks might betray your suspicions."

 

"There is something in that. But how can I take measures to guard against loss?"

 

"You can act through me, sir. Is there much money in the safe?"

 

"No; but Talbot is authorized⁵ to sign checks. He will draw money if I am not at the store."

 

"Will he place it in the safe?"

 

"Probably."

 

"Then let him do so. He is to tell the burglars the combination. He will get it from the janitor⁶."

 

"The scoundrel!"

 

"I will see the janitor, and ask him to give the book-keeper the wrong word."

 

"What else?"

 

"I will secretly notify the police, whom he will admit and hide till the time comes."

 

[Pg 157]

 

"That is well planned."

 

"Then," continued Dan, flushing with excitement, "we'll wait till the burglars come, and let them begin work on the safe. While they are at work, we will nab them."

 

"You say we."

 

"Yes, sir; I want to be there."

 

"There may be danger."

 

"I'll risk it, sir."

 

"Dan, you are a brave boy."

 

"I don't know about that, sir. But if anything is going on to-night, I want to be in it."

 

"You shall, but be prudent⁷. I don't want you to be hurt."

 

"Thank you, sir. If Mr. Talbot sends me with a large check to the bank, what shall I do?"

 

"Take it."

 

"He may make off with the money during the day."

 

"I will set another detective to watch him, and have him arrested in that event."

 

"This is going to be an exciting day," said Dan to himself, as he set out for the store.

 

1 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

3 slippers   

n. 拖鞋

参考例句：

• a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
• He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋，倒在床上。

4 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

5 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

6 janitor   

n.看门人，管门人

参考例句：

• The janitor wiped on the windows with his rags.看门人用褴褛的衣服擦着窗户。
• The janitor swept the floors and locked up the building every night.那个看门人每天晚上负责打扫大楼的地板和锁门。

7 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。