"You young spoil-sport, so this is your doings!" said Whatman vindictively. "I'll have my revenge on you, see if I don't."
The stranger, who looked very pale and cowed, tried to offer a bribe, but the policeman stopped him at once and warned them that anything they said would be used against them at their trial.
Then when Dick had fetched his discarded shoes, and told what he had overheard, the little procession moved out into the street.
"We must wake up that dolt of a watchman and get the place made fast once more."
And after giving his name and address, Dick was glad to go home away from the sight of Whatman's rage.
"I am sorry I had to do it," he told Mrs. Garth over the fire that evening, "but it wouldn't have been right to let them steal, would it?"
"In course not, my boy, you only did your duty; though maybe Whatman would have said you were up to no good if he had found you there alone. It was lucky for you they didn't find you out when you went to give the alarm."
The news of the attempted burglary was soon known among the workmen, and proved a more exciting topic than the result of the football match.
"That's a smart lad," said the manager to Dainton that evening, "and if the firm doesn't do something for him, I will."
"You're right, sir," said Dainton emphatically. "He's smart and plucky too. Whatman's neither more nor less than a brute when he's roused, and this affair proves that he's none too honest. You know he was more than suspected when the brass filings were missed, that time."