"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?"

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