“Will you promise not to start the burglar alarm, but allow me to escape without interference?” “Yes, if you will agree never to enter this house again.” “All right!” “You promise?” “Yes, I do.” “Then I’ll go. If you break your word, boy, you’ll wish you had never been born,” he added, fiercely. “I’d hunt you night and day after I got out of jail, and kill you like a dog.” “You need not be afraid. I will keep my word.” There was something in Paul’s tone and manner that inspired confidence. “You ain’t a bad sort!” said the burglar, paying an involuntary tribute to the boy’s staunch honesty. “You’re a cool kind of kid, any way. What an honor you’d make to our profession!” Paul could not help smiling. “I suppose that’s a compliment,” he said. “Thank you. Now I must trouble you to go.” “I’m going! Remember your promise!” In an instant the burglar was out of the window, through which he had made his entrance, and disappeared from sight. Paul did not approach the window, lest his doing so should excite alarm in the rogue. When a sufficient time had elapsed he ran to the window, closed it, and once more breathed freely. The danger was passed, and he began now to feel the tension to which his nerves had been subjected. “Has anything happened, Paul?” asked a voice. Turning, Paul saw Mrs. Cunningham at the door. She had thrown a wrapper over her, and, attracted by the sound of voices, had entered the library. “Has any burglar been here?” she asked, nervously, observing Paul with the revolver in his hand. “Yes,” answered the telegraph boy; “I have just bidden the gentleman good night.” By this time Jennie, too, made her appearance. “What is it, mamma? What is it, Paul?” she asked. “Why are you standing there with the revolver in your hand?” Paul told the story as briefly as the circumstances would admit. “It was a mercy you were awake!” said Mrs. Cunningham. “Did you hear the noise of the man’s entrance?” “I don’t know how I happened to wake up,” said Paul. “I generally sleep sound. But I opened my eyes, and immediately heard a noise in this room.” “But did you have time to dress?” asked Jennie. “I did not need to do so, for I threw myself on the bed with my clothes on.” “And with your cap on?” inquired Jennie with an arch smile. “No, but when I rose from the bed I put it on without thinking. I don’t know whether I ought to have let the burglar get off free, but I thought it the easiest way to avoid trouble.” “You did right. I approve your conduct,” said Mrs. Cunningham. “You seem to have acted with remarkable courage and discretion.” “I am very glad if you are pleased, madam,” said Paul, gratified at this cordial indorsement. “Weren’t you awfully scared, Paul?” asked Jennie Cunningham. “Well, I was a little scared, I admit,” answered Paul, with a smile, “but I didn’t think it wise to show it before the burglar.” “My hand would have trembled so that I couldn’t hold the pistol,” declared the young lady.