"You'll repent² this, you old idiot!" he hissed³ between his closed teeth, and, in spite of old Jack⁴'s efforts to keep him down, he forced his way up.

 

At the same moment Mike, who had been momentarily dazed by the sudden attack, seized the janitor⁵, and, between them both, old Jack's life was likely to be of a very brief tenure⁶. But here the reinforcements appeared, and changed the aspect of the battle.

 

One burly policeman seized Bill by the collar, while Mike was taken in hand by another, and their heavy clubs fell with merciless force on the heads of the two captives.

 

In the new surprise Jack found himself a free man, and, holding up the lantern, cried, exultingly⁷:

 

"If I am an old idiot, I've got the better of you, you scoundrels! You'll open the safe, will you?"

 

Bill looked about him doggedly⁸. It was hard for him to give in, but the fight was too unequal.

 

[Pg 184]

 

"Mike," said he, "this is a plant. I wish I had that cursed book-keeper here; he led us into this."

 

"Is it Mr. Talbot you mean?" asked the janitor.

 

"Yes," answered Bill; "he put us up to this. Curse him!"

 

"No need to curse him," said Jack, dryly; "he meant you to succeed."

 

"Didn't he tell you we were coming to-night?"

 

"Not he."

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