Before the shivering rogue could make protest, the merchant, suppressing his anger, said with a coolness which surprised himself as much as it did the officer crouching a few paces away, with his hand on his revolver,--
"We will call the amount stolen an even thousand dollars, Mr. Catherwood. How soon will you be prepared to restore it?"
"Why--why--why"--
"As a beginning, suppose you return that which you have just taken."
Catherwood did as ordered without a word.
"Now re-lock the safe. Be sure you have the right combination. No one knows it besides you and me. I will give you a week in which to send back the rest."
G. Field Catherwood was recovering his nerve. He was furious with himself that he had been so completely knocked out.
"Suppose I don't choose to return it, what then?"
"It will be ten years or more in State prison."
"Bah! you will have a sweet time proving anything against me."