“Of course; you are a girl, you know.” “Don’t you think girls are brave, then?” “They are not called upon to be brave in the same way.” “A good answer,” said Mrs. Cunningham. “And now, Jennie, we had better go back to bed. Will you not be afraid to sleep here the rest of the night after this adventure?” she asked, turning to Paul. “No, Mrs. Cunningham. The burglar won’t feel like coming back.” “What’s that?” asked Jennie, pointing to some article on the floor. “It is the burglar’s jimmy,” said Paul, stooping to pick it up. “He left in such a hurry that he forgot to take it with him. I will carry it into my room, and take care of it.” Paul bade the two visitors good night and threw himself once more on the bed. The remainder of the night passed quietly. The midnight visitor did not reappear. CHAPTER VI. PAUL MAKES A STRANGE DISCOVERY. The next morning Mrs. Cunningham insisted on Paul’s taking breakfast with her before he returned to the telegraph office. Though it was a new experience to Paul sitting down at a luxuriously furnished table, in a refined family, he was possessed of a natural good breeding, which enabled him to appear to advantage. He was flattered by the cordial manner in which Mrs. Cunningham and her daughter treated him, and he was tempted to ask himself whether he was the same boy that had lived for years in a squalid tenement house, under the guardianship of a ragged and miserly old man. Being gifted with a “healthy appetite,” Paul did not fail to appreciate the dainty rolls, tender meat, and delicious coffee with which he was served. “I can’t get such a breakfast as this at the ‘Jim Fisk’ restaurant,” thought Paul. “Still, that is a good deal better than I could get at home.” “I am not sure whether I shall need you tonight, Paul,” said Mrs. Cunningham, as they rose from the breakfast table. “It is not certain whether Mr. Cunningham will be at home or be detained over another night at Washington.” “I shall be glad to come if you need me,” said Paul. “I think I will have you come up, at any rate, about seven o’clock,” said the lady. “I will write a line to the superintendent to that effect.” “Very well, ma’am.” When Paul presented himself at the office he was the bearer of a note to the superintendent. That official showed some surprise as he read it. “So you drove away a burglar, Number 91?” he said. “I believe I frightened him away,” answered Paul. “Humph! Was he a little fellow?” “No, a large man.” “And he was afraid of you?” continued the superintendent, surprised. “He was afraid of my revolver,” amended Paul. The superintendent asked more questions, being apparently interested in the matter. “The lady wishes you to go up again tonight,” he said. “Yes, sir, so she told me, but it is not certain that I shall have to stay all night.” “Of course you are to go.” As the telegraph office would receive a good round sum for Paul’s services, the superintendent was very willing to send him up.