In the course of the afternoon, Jack made another visit to the foot ofthe staircase. He saw through the crevice the same two men at work, butthe old man was not with them. Ascertaining this, he ought, in prudence,immediately to have retraced his steps, but he remained on watch fortwenty minutes. When he did return he was startled by finding the oldman seated, and waiting for him. There was a menacing expression on hisface.
"Where have you been?" he demanded, abruptly.
"Downstairs," answered Jack.
"Ha! What did you see?"
"I may as well own up," thought Jack. "Through a crack I saw some men atwork in a basement room," he replied.
"Do you know what they were doing?"
"Counterfeiting, I should think."
"Well, is there anything wrong in that?"
"I suppose you wouldn't want to be found out," he answered.
"I didn't mean to have you make this discovery. Now there's only onething to be done."
"What's that?"
"You have become possessed of an important--I may say, a dangeroussecret. You have us in your power."
"I suppose," said Jack, "you are afraid I will denounce you to thepolice?"
"Well, there is a possibility of that. That class of people has aprejudice against us, though we are only doing what everybody likes todo--making money."
"Will you let me go if I keep your secret?"
"What assurance have we that you would keep your promise?"
"I would pledge my word."
"Your word!" Foley--for this was the old man's real name--snapped hisfingers. "I wouldn't give that for it. That is not sufficient."
"What will be?"
"You must become one of us."
"One of you!"
"Yes. You must make yourself liable to the same penalties, so that itwill be for your own interest to remain silent. Otherwise we can't trustyou."
"Suppose I decline these terms?"
"Then I shall be under the painful necessity of retaining you as myguest," said Foley, smiling disagreeably.
"What made you pretend to be a mad-doctor?"
"To put you off the track," said Foley. "You believed it, didn't you?"
"At first."
"Well, what do you say?" asked Foley.
"I should like to take time to reflect upon your proposal," said Jack."It is of so important a character that I don't like to decide at once."
"How long do you require?"
"Two days. Suppose I join you, shall I get good pay?"
"Excellent," answered Foley. "In fact, you'll be better paid than a boyof your age would be anywhere else."
"That's worth thinking about," said Jack, gravely. "My father is poor,and I've got my own way to make."
"You couldn't have a better opening. You're a smart lad, and will besure to succeed."
"Well, I'll think of it. If I should make up my mind before the end oftwo days, I will let you know."
"Very well. You can't do better."
"But there's one thing I want to ask about," said Jack, with pretendedanxiety. "It's pretty risky business, isn't it?"
"I've been in the business ten years, and they haven't got hold of meyet," answered Foley. "All you've got to do is to be careful."
"He'll join," said Foley to himself. "He's a smart fellow, and we canmake him useful. It'll be the best way to dispose of one who might getus into trouble."