Viney's mouth closed tight. "No," he said; "I don't think I am. What is it?"
Dan Ogle looked intently in his face for a few seconds, and then said: "Only him an' the kid sleeps in the house."
Viney started. "You don't mean breaking in?" he exclaimed. "I won't do that; it's too—too——"
"Ah, too risky, of course," Dan replied, with a curl of the lip. "But I don't mean breakin' in. Nothing like it. But tell me first; s'pose breakin' in wasn't risky; s'pose you knew you'd get away safe, with the stuff. Would you do it then?" And he peered keenly at Viney's face.
Viney frowned. "That don't matter," he said, "if it ain't the plan. S'pose I would?"
"Ha-ha! that'll do! I know your sort. Not that I blame you about the busting—it 'ud take two pretty tough 'uns to face Cap'en Nat, I can tell you. But now see here. Will you come with me, an' knock at his side door to-night, after the place is shut?"
"Knock? And what then?"
"I'll tell you. You know the alley down to the stairs?"
"Yes."
"Black as pitch at night, with a row o' posts holding up the house. Now when everybody's gone an' he's putting out the lights, you go an' tap at the door."