"You young scoundrel!" cried Simpkins, valiant once more, as he came forward and seized the lad roughly. "I'll teach you to find your way into people's houses; I'll give you up to the police! Now, tell me, what have you taken?"
"I have touched nothing," said Gus. "Lucas told me to take the watches and things; but I would not do it. I would rather die!"
"A likely story that!" said the valet, with a sneer.
"I believe him," said Edith. "I know this boy; he was in my class one Sunday, and he came here the other day. Now, Gus, tell me all about it."
Encouraged by her kindness, Gus simply and without hesitation told the whole story of his acquaintance with Lucas, and how Lucas had first brought him to the house to make inquiries, and to-night had tried to make a tool of him, in order to gain possession of the ladies' valuables.
Miss Durrant had fled to the top of the house when Edith opened the door of her bedroom, but presently she found courage to return, and when she saw the diminutive proportions of the burglar, her dignity also revived.
"You will remember, Edith," she said, "that I told you how dangerous it was to encourage such a young scamp."
"You did, aunt," said her niece quietly; "but I cannot believe that this boy came here with an evil purpose."
"He's told you a parcel of lies, that's what he's a-done," said Simpkins. "I'll take him right away to the police-station; it ain't too late."
"Yes, take him; take him by all means," said Miss Durrant; and Edith in vain remonstrated.