‘In his trousers pocket,’ said Edward, ‘only he puts it in the dressing-table drawer at night.’
‘You must go and get it,’ said the burglar, for such he plainly was.
‘Must I?’ said Edward, wondering how he could get out of betraying his father’s confidence and being branded as a criminal.
‘Yes,’ said the burglar in an awful voice, ‘get up and go.’
[p49]
‘No,’ said Edward, and he was as much surprised at his courage as you are.
‘Bravo!’ said the burglar, flinging off his mask. ‘I see you aren’t such a white rabbit as what I thought you.’
‘It’s Gustus,’ said Edward. ‘Oh, Gustus, I’m so glad! Oh, Gustus, I’m so sorry! I always hoped you wouldn’t be a burglar. And now you are.’
‘I am so,’ said Gustus, with pride, ‘but,’ he added sadly, ‘this is my first burglary.’
‘Couldn’t it be the last?’ suggested Edward.
‘That,’ replied Gustus, ‘depends on you.’