The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-02

de was in 2 quandary, from which he
telt powerleas to extricate himself.
There was something almost COM
pelllng in the manner of his tempter,
whose forceful. determined personal
ity made him realize the more his own
weakness. He was firm. however. on
one point. He would not, under any
pressure. betray the confidence of his
employers. But how he was going to
escape from his present difficulty he
mad not the faintest idea.
SO the hours wore on, and at half
past 8 they left the room together. with
an admonishing look from the burglar,
and entered the breakfast room. There
was no cause for him to alarm his
sister, so he briefly explained the pres
ence of the burglar in the way the
latter had suggested. Then they left
the house and walked in the direction
of the office. The burglar was a pace
behind him all the way. and Villiers
had an uncomfortable feeling that the
mans hand was thrust into his breast
pocket, ready on the smallest provoca-
ton to carry out his threat.
At last they reached the office. VII
llers went straight into his own de-
partment, and the burglar followed
him in. Slowly he went into his pri-
vate office, the burglar at his heels,
and shut the door behind them.
Now" said the burglar. Look
sharp! l have no time to waste!"
Max Villiers faced him boldly.
Il will not do it," he said firmly.
You must!" said the burglar. and
he drew the revolver from his pocket
and pointed it at Villiers' head.
For moment there was silence.
Then, in voice clear and resoiute,
Villiers said:
Kill me if you like but 1 will not
betray the confidence of my en-
ployers." =
The burglar put the revolver in his
pocket, and. going to the door opened
it. Sir Percival Hawthorn was out
side, and. in response to a nod from
the burglar, he walked in.
He's all right" said the burglar.
mo more than L expected" said the
baronet
Villiers sank into chair. 1t seemed
as though his senses were deserving
him.
Mr. Villiers," said the baronet. Il
see we must put this little matter to
rights. and put you at your ease. AS
you have doubtless heard, the post OF
general manager at our Sydney house
is now vacant. The salary is $4,000
year For reasons into which I need
not now enter, l have had a growing
inclination to promote you to the APP
pointment. But you are young man,
| and, for the sake of my fellow direc-
| tors, 1t DehOOVed me TO make sure tnaC
| you were proof against great tempta-
| ton. So l mentioned the matter to
my friend. Detective Grace, and he
| consented to help me. You have stood
the test well, and L am glad Of 1t.
You will be allowed a months leave
| Of absence, at the end of which time
we shall expect you to start for Sgd
ney there to take up your new ap-
| pointment."
He came and laid his hand kindly
on Villiers' shoulder.
This has given you a bit of shak-
| ing" he said with a smile. We'll. we
must make amends for that. Suppose
| you come to The Chestnuts' TO dinner
this evening. 1 fancy 1 shall not be
the only one there who will be delight
ed to see you" And he looked mean
ingly into the still bewildered face OF
Villiers
And he was right. For Dulcie laid
wait for him as he came in, and,
drawing him softly into a room where
none but themselves might see, she
threw his arms about his neck and
kissed him.
"Oh, you dear old boy!" she said.
dad told me all about 1t this aft
ernoon. And now we can be" And
she broke off in confusion.
But Max finished the sentence for
her.