Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-25

you sixty seconds by that clock up thar. Boys, eff he don't open the safe in one minute from now pull down on i'm an don't miss fer all you do. You'd ruther die, had you, Buckley? We'll, we'll see if that's so or not. He's a chip off'n the old block, boys. His other folks things, an his life wasn't at stake. He'll wilt, all right"
 ''So that's the reason you thought I'd give 1n," said George, now quite pale, his lips quivering.
 "Well, that's one reason" said the man. "But what's the use O talkin'F Time is passin'. Jest another half min- ute, boys. Git ready. He may be fool enough to want to defy us."
 Hundreds of thoughts flashed through George Buckley's brain. There was, indeed, a large amount of money in the safe, and thousands of dollars of it belonged to poor people who had brought 1t to him and Hillyer in abso- lute faith as to its security. Could he give up their money to save his own life, and
 Another quarter" said the leader of the men. 'I'll count six, and ef he don't move when I say six, pull down together. Listen! That's the 12 o'clock train. Fire jest as it's passin', boys. We won't take no resk on the sound reachin' outside
 George heard the coming train. The rumble of 1t was felt in the walls of the building. The mountaineer was measuring its approach by counting slowly: wo-three-four''- 2
 "Put down your guns," said George Buckley. No man can expect another to sacrifice his life for aslittle money I've done the best I can. Put down your guns"
 'That's the talk, young feller. You are no fool. For minute you tuck this thing so durn cool I thought you was goin' to commit suicide. But keep i'm covered, boys. We don't take no chances on him, nur no other chap"
 "You needn't be afraid" said George with cold, hard smile "You fellows are simply too much for me. They say every man has his price; reckon you'll give me part of the money. want to leave the country. They will d1A say l Wd6 COuCCInGu III 1L-D0CduS0 of my father. Is that understood-I'm to get part2'
 "Yes, that's understood,' said the leader eagerly. Boys, we'll have to divide with 'im-he's the right sort"
 The train rattled by. George left his stool and went to the safe. Wfth a hand that gleamed like that of dead mans in the lamplight, he twirled the combination bolt back and forth; then he suddenly turned to them, passing his hand wearily over his brow.
 Look here," he said, "I'll have to confess that you've rattled me- I changed the lock today, and the letters of the combination have slipped my mind"
 "Ahv' snarled the man addressed. "You can't come that on us. Boys, he's trytn' to gain time. He thinks we cayn't git in the safe. Sock it to the"-
 Hold onr' George held up his hand, still smiling mechanically. Don't fly off the handle. can figure out the combination in few minutes if you'll only take those blasted guns off me and stand back. Pm not made of stone. How can man get his mind on thing like that while you are pointing revolvers at him. Leave me alone a minute. I'm with you, but give me minute to collect myself-to think it out" ...f
 The leader laughed. Boys" he said, Ines scared a sight wuss n he looks. That's compliment to us. Stand out side the office. I'll stay with i'm, but eff you hear the slightest noise run in."
 The two men did as ordered, and George sank into a chair at Hillyer's desk He drew blank sheet of paper to him and dipped pen.
 ..'Now git to work" said the leader, approaching and looking over his shoul- der.
 George glared up at him. "Not un- less you keep away from me. Get back" he demanded sharply, "or I'll throw 1t up"
 "WelI, you needn't be so tetchy," and the burglar .retreated to the door, where