"Then it'll take us longer, that's all."
But the door was not locked, and the safe was in the front room on the second floor. In the back room the police were concealed, and were listening intently to the movements of the burglars. Should the latter discover them they were ready for an immediate attack, but they hoped the visitors would get to work first. In this hope they were gratified.
By chance the two confederates entered the front room first.
"Here's the safe, Marlowe," whispered Jack, in tones of satisfaction. "Now, if luck's on our side, we'll make a raise."
"You talk too much," cautioned his companion. "Work first, and talk afterward."
They approached the safe, and Jack kneeled down before it and prepared to effect an entrance. Marlowe was about to follow his example, when his ear, made acute by necessity, distinguished a footstep outside.
"Jack," said he in a sharp whisper, "I hear a step outside."
Instantly Jack Morgan was on his feet.
"Do you think we are heard?"
"Perhaps so. If we are we must secure ourselves. It may be the boy. If it is, we'll quiet him pretty quickly."