In the new surprise Jack found himself a free man, and, holding up the lantern, cried, exultingly:
"If I am an old idiot, I've got the better of you, you scoundrels! You'll open the safe, will you?"
Bill looked about him doggedly. It was hard for him to give in, but the fight was too unequal.
"Mike," said he, "this is a plant. I wish I had that cursed book-keeper here; he led us into this."
"Is it Mr. Talbot you mean?" asked the janitor.
"Yes," answered Bill; "he put us up to this. Curse him!"
"No need to curse him," said Jack, dryly; "he meant you to succeed."
"Didn't he tell you we were coming to-night?"
"Not he."