“You’d better!” growled the burglar.
“What shall I do?” thought Tom, racking his brain for some way of escape.
An idea flashed upon him. He turned to go behind the counter.
“Where are you going?” demanded the burglar suspiciously.
“For the money. That’s what you want, isn’t it?” asked Tom.
“Be quick about it. Where do you keep it?”
“Mr. Burton will think I took it,” said our hero, who had an object in what he said. “Won’t you be satisfied with taking some clothes?”
“Don’t be foolish, boy! What can I do with clothes? It is gold I want. Come, open the drawer. Where is it you keep it?”
“Will you leave a note for Mr. Burton, saying I didn’t take it?” asked Tom, who wished the ruffian to consider him simple.
“What a fool!” thought the burglar. “I’ll pretend to humor him. Yes,” he said, “I’ll leave a note which you can give him.”