Marlowe asked no further questions, and the conversation dropped. Julius threw his blacking-box over his back, and opening the door went out. His mind was busily occupied with the revelation which he had unexpectedly overhead. It seemed clear that the plans of the burglars had been changed, and that the attack was to be made on Saturday night, and not on Monday night, as first proposed. He must tell Paul Hoffman, for he had made his choice between his new friend and his old guardian. On the one side was respectability; on the other a disreputable life, and Julius had seen enough of what it had brought to Jack not to relish the prospect in his own case. He determined to acquaint Paul with the change of plan, and went around to Broadway for that purpose. But Paul had not got opened for business. He had delayed in order to do an errand for his mother. "I can go later," thought Julius. "It will do just as well." In this he was mistaken, as we shall see. CHAPTER XVI. LOCKED UP FOR THE NIGHT. About nine o'clock, after a comfortable breakfast, for which he had paid out of his morning's earnings, Julius went round again to Paul's necktie stand. He had just opened for business when the boy came up. "You're late this mornin'," said Julius. "I was here before." "Yes; I was detained at home. Is there anything new?" "Yes, there is," said Julius. "What is it?" "They suspect somethin'." "Who?" "Jack and Marlowe. They think I ain't to be trusted." "How do you know? Did they tell you so?" inquired Paul, with interest. "No; Marlowe talked in his sleep." "What did he say?" "'Don't trust the boy! Make it Saturday night.'" "Saturday night!" repeated Paul in excitement. "Why, that's to-morrow night." Julius nodded. "Do they know you overheard?" "No." "So you came and told me. You're a good fellow, Julius. You have done me a great favor." "You've been good to me," said Julius. "That's why I did it." "I shall be ready for them to-morrow night, then," said Paul. This conference was watched, though neither Julius nor Paul was aware of it. Marlowe, on leaving the room some time after Julius, had come into the vicinity with the design of getting a view of Paul and ascertaining whether he was the boy whom he had seen purchasing the coat. He came up a moment after Julius reached the stand. Of course he identified Paul, and his suspicions as to the good understanding between him and Julius were confirmed by seeing them together. He listened intently, hoping to catch something of their conversation, but though not far off, the street noises were such as to render this impossible. "The young viper!" he said to himself. "He's sold us, as sure as my name's Marlowe. I'll wring his neck for him. He'll find he's got into dangerous business." He went back and reported to Jack what he had seen. "If I thought the boy was playin' us a trick," growled Jack, "I'd strangle him; but I ain't sure. You didn't hear what he said?"