“You can,” said Tom promptly. “I may not be able to fill your place, but I’ll do the best I can.”
“I am convinced of it. You will sleep in the store; for though burglaries are not frequent, there might be an attempt to open the store.”
“You won’t be afraid to remain here alone?”
“Afraid!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope not. I should be ashamed of myself if I were.”
“I shall leave my revolver, and I expect you to use it if necessary. Do you understand its use?”
“Then I have no further directions to give. I cannot tell exactly how many days I shall be absent.”
“Don’t hurry home, sir. All will go well.”
“It’s odd how much confidence I have in that boy,” said Mr. Burton to himself. “He says he is only sixteen, but he’s as cool and self-reliant as a man of twenty-five. He has been well educated, too, I judge from his manners and conversation. I feel fortunate in securing him.”
On the fourth night after Mr. Burton’s departure, Tom went to bed at his usual hour. His bed was made up on the floor, about the center. He was unusually fatigued, and this no doubt accounted for his sleeping sounder than common. Something roused him at last. At first he thought, in his bewilderment, that it was Mr. Burton who had shaken him, but he was quickly undeceived.
Lifting his head, he saw a sinister face, rough and unshaven, bending over him.
“What!” he commenced, but the other interrupted him in a stern whisper.
“Speak low, boy! Make no alarm, or by the powers above I’ll kill you instantly. Do you understand?”
Tom was now thoroughly awake. He comprehended that this man was one against whom it was his duty to defend the store and its contents. On account of the soundness of his sleep he had not heard him effect his entrance.
“You can guess why I am here. I want all the money you have in this store.”
“You had better leave here at once,” said Tom, having recourse to stratagem. “Suppose my employer should have heard you and come in.”
“Suppose he don’t,” said the burglar, with a sneer. “I know as well as you that he is in the country. You can’t play any of your games on me, boy.”
“And he is there now. Boy, I can’t waste time. Do you see this?” and he drew a formidable knife from its sheath.
“You will feel it also,” said the burglar, “if you don’t show me where you keep your gold, and be quick about it.”