Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant

  CHAPTER XVII.

  TRAPPED.

  It was close upon midnight when Marlowe and Jack approached the housein Madison avenue. There was one thing connected with the position ofthe house, not before mentioned, which favored their attempt. It was acorner house, and in the rear a high wall separated the area from thestreet. The two confederates judged that this would be the mostfeasible way of entrance.

  "Boost me up, Marlowe, first," said Jack Morgan. "You're lighter'n me,and can get up alone. I'm fat and clumsy, and I couldn't 'go it alone'to save my neck."

  "All right, Jack. Are you ready?"

  "Yes. Shove away."

  Jack, raised by his companion, got firm hold of the top of the wall,and by an effort clambered over.

  "I'm over, all right," he said, in a low voice. "Get over yourself."

  Marlowe looked cautiously up and down the street, till he wassatisfied no policeman was in sight, then, making a leap, seized thewall, and, by the exercise of his strength, drew himself up, and then,of course, easily descended into the area.

  "Here we are," said Jack, in a tone of satisfaction. "Now for work."

  "The lights are all out," said Marlowe, softly. "I hope they are allasleep."

  "It's likely they are."

  "Did Julius say whether any of them slept in the basement?"

  "He didn't find out."

  "Well, we must risk it. We'll reconnoiter a little and see what's thebest way to get in."

  At length it was decided that a particular window afforded the easiestingress. Of course it was fastened inside; but they were not novices,and this presented not the slightest difficulty to their practicedhands. With an instrument pointed with a diamond, they cut out thepane of glass just beneath, and, thrusting in a hand, Marlowe turnedback the fastening. Then the window was softly raised, and bothentered.

  They were now in the kitchen. It was dangerous to grope about in thedark, for some article of furniture might be overturned, and thatwould probably create an alarm which would be fatal to their plans.The first thing, therefore, was to strike a light.

  They had a dark lantern with them, and this was speedily lighted. Thenboth removed their shoes, and one after the other filed into theentry.

  "Take care, Jack," said Marlowe. "The woman may be sleeping in thefront basement, and might hear you if you make the least noise."

  "Suppose she does?"

  "We must gag her. If it's the boy, I'll dispose of him pretty quick."

  All was still as death. Neither had the slightest idea that their planwas known, and that preparations of a most unwelcome character hadbeen made for their reception--that, in fact, they had ventured into atrap. But on the previous evening Paul had called at the nearestpolice station, and, communicating what he knew in regard to theintended attack, had asked for a guard. One of the force had beeninstructed to go back with him and carefully examine the house, thebetter to provide, not only for defense, but for the capture of theburglars.

  "They will enter through the back area window," said the officer atonce. "Where do you sleep?"

  "My mother and little brother sleep in the front basement. I sleepupstairs."

  "The basement must be left vacant."

  "Certainly. I wouldn't trust mother and Jimmy there such a night."

  "You had better all go upstairs--to the upper floor, if you like--andwe will conceal ourselves on the second floor."

  "We will do as you think best. I will stay with you."

  "No, Paul," said Mrs. Hoffman, terrified.

  "I can't think of your exposing yourself to so much danger."

  "I'm not afraid, mother. I think it is my duty."

  "You can do no good," said the officer. "There will be enough of us totake care of them."

  With some reluctance Paul gave up his plan. He was bold andcourageous, and, like most boys of his age, he was fond of adventure.An encounter with burglars promised no little excitement, and hewanted to be present, and have his share in it. But when he saw howuneasy and alarmed his mother was, he yielded his desire, as I am sureyou, my boy reader, would have done in his place, even had your wishbeen as strong as his.

  Jimmy was now fast asleep; but neither Mrs. Hoffman nor Paul could soreadily compose themselves to slumber under the circumstances. Theywere standing at the head of the attic stairs, listening intently forthe slightest sound from below which might indicate the arrival of theexpected visitors. At length they heard a pistol shot, then a shriek,then confused noises of feet and voices, and they knew that theencounter had taken place. We must go back and explain what hadhappened. Carrying their shoes in their hands, the two burglars creptup the basement stairs. Their hopes were high. Their entrance had notyet been observed, and even if it were, they were two strong menagainst a woman and two boys, the oldest only half-grown. There seemednothing to fear.

  "Now for the safe," said Marlowe. "It's somewhere on the secondfloor."

  "The door of the room may be locked."

  "Then it'll take us longer, that's all."

  But the door was not locked, and the safe was in the front room on thesecond floor. In the back room the police were concealed, and werelistening intently to the movements of the burglars. Should the latterdiscover them they were ready for an immediate attack, but they hopedthe visitors would get to work first. In this hope they weregratified.

  By chance the two confederates entered the front room first.

  "Here's the safe, Marlowe," whispered Jack, in tones of satisfaction."Now, if luck's on our side, we'll make a raise."

  "You talk too much," cautioned his companion. "Work first, and talkafterward."

  They approached the safe, and Jack kneeled down before it and preparedto effect an entrance. Marlowe was about to follow his example, whenhis ear, made acute by necessity, distinguished a footstep outside.

  "Jack," said he in a sharp whisper, "I hear a step outside."

  Instantly Jack Morgan was on his feet.

  "Do you think we are heard?"

  "Perhaps so. If we are we must secure ourselves. It may be the boy. Ifit is, we'll quiet him pretty quickly."

  They never dreamed of any opposition which they would be unable towithstand. Paul was, of course, no match for them, and as to Mrs.Hoffman, she might go into a fit of hysterics, or might give thealarm. It would be easy to dispose of her. Since, therefore, there wasnothing to fear, the two confederates thought it best to face theenemy at once and put him _hors de combat._

  Thereupon Marlowe opened the door at once, and, to his dismay, foundhimself confronted by four stalwart policemen.

  "The game's up, Jack!" he shouted. "Save yourself!"

  He made a spring, eluding the grasp of the officers, and plungeddownstairs at a breakneck rate. Meanwhile Jack had snapped a pistol atone of the policemen, but it missed fire. By a return shot he waswounded in the shoulder, and his right arm hung useless. He broke intoa volley of execrations.

  "Do you surrender?" demanded the officer, at whom he had fired.

  "I must," said Jack, in a surly tone. "You're four to one."

  Only one policeman had followed Marlowe downstairs. Circumstancesfavored the escape of this, the more dangerous villain of the two. Atthe foot of the basement stairs was a door, and on the outside was abolt. This Marlowe had noticed on going up, and the knowledge stoodhim in good stead. He got downstairs sufficiently in advance of thepoliceman to bolt the door and so obstruct his progress. This gave himtime, and time was all-important to him. While the officer was kickingat the door and trying to burst it open, as he finally did, Marlowedashed through the kitchen and got out at the open window. Then he hadto scale the wall; but this was easy to do on the inside, for therewas a narrow ledge midway. In less than a minute he was on thepavement outside, and fleeing from the danger under cover of thedarkness.

  When he had got far enough to dare to slacken his pace time also camefor thought, and he was able to consider how it happened that fourofficers were concealed in the house. There was but one possibleexplanation
.

  "It was that cursed boy!" he muttered, grinding his teeth in a fiercerage. "He betrayed us. He upset the likeliest plan I've joined in foryears. He shall suffer for it, curse it! Before I go to sleep thisnight I'll give him a lesson. He won't need but one."

  His soul thirsting for revenge, he hurried back to the miserable roomin which Julius was confined. He had no doubt of finding him, for hewas satisfied the boy could not get out.

  Meanwhile Jack Morgan was compelled, by superior force, to surrenderat discretion. The blood was trickling from the wound in his shoulder,and on the whole, he looked the burglar to perfection. While they wereslipping on the handcuffs the officer who had pursued Marlowe returnedand reported that he had escaped.

  "Bully for him!" said Jack. "He's smart, Marlowe is!"

  "So his name is Marlowe, is it?"

  "You knew it before," said Jack, in a surly tone. "Who told you aboutour coming here to-night?"

  "Never mind!" said the officer. "It was our business to find out, andwe found out."

  "I know well enough who blabbed," growled Jack. "Curse him! I'd liketo strangle him."

  "I don't know whom you suspect, my man," said the officer; "but Ithink it'll be some time before you'll have a chance to carry out yourbenevolent purpose."

  "Perhaps it will," returned Jack; "but Marlowe ain't took yet. He'llattend to the business for both of us;" and there wis a look ofmalignant joy on his face as he thought of the sure retribution thatwould overtake Julius.