Then somebody trod on a piece of loose iron, and there was a slight clinking noise. In affright Whatman darted round the office, to be instantly taken possession of by the second man, while policeman X. ran forward and caught the stranger, who was just emerging from the window with a slim roll of papers in his hand. "Well caught!" said the man in plain clothes, as he slipped the handcuffs on. "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." "It'll be a fine exposure for Monks, too, if this fellow proves he was only a cat's-paw for them." "Maybe you could move Dick into my shop, sir? I want to lend the boy a hand, though it strikes me he'll get on whether or no. He's so keen on learning, and would stop up half the night to pore over any old book of mechanics he can get hold of. And the way he has taken hold of drawing, at the night school, in the few weeks he's been there is something wonderful. I only wish my boy had the same gift." "His uncle was a clever workman," said the manager thoughtfully. "Foolish fellow to take gold fever and go off into the wilds after it when he was doing so well with good British ironwork! I'll speak to Mr. Alfred about Dick, and he'll certainly have some promotion."