As they stood there, in the gloom which pervaded that part of the room, the Colonel answered him with a low and significant whisper: "Do you remember that old ruffian who was charged last night in the cars with--" "You mean old Ninety-One, as he calls hisself," interrupted Blossom--"Well, I guess I do." "Very good," continued the Colonel.--"Now suppose this ruffian had concealed himself in the house of a wealthy man, with the purpose of committing a robbery this very night!" Blossom was all ears. "Well, well,--drive ahead. Suppose,--suppose,"--he said impatiently. "Not so fast. Suppose, further, that a _gentleman_ who had overheard this villain plotting this purposed crime, was to give you full information in regard to the affair, could you,--could you,--when called upon to give evidence before the court, forget the name of this _gentleman_?" "I'd know no more of him than an unborn baby," eagerly whispered Blossom. "Hold a moment. This gentleman overhears the plot, in the room of a _certain house_, not used as a church, precisely. The gentleman does not wish to be known as a visitor to _that house_,--you comprehend? But in _that house_, he happens to hear the ruffian and his young comrade planning this robbery. Himself unseen, he hears their whole conversation. He finds out that they intend to enter the house where the robbery is to take place, by a false key and a back stairway. Now--" "You want to know, in straight-for'ard talk," interrupted Blossom, "whether, when the case comes to trial, I could remember having overheard the convict and the young 'un mesself? There's my hand on it, Curnel. Just set me on the track, and you'll find that I'll never say one word about you. Beside, I was arter these two covies this very night,--I seed 'em with my own eyes, in the garret of the Yellow Mug." "You did!" cried the Colonel, with an accent of undisguised satisfaction. "Then possibly you may remember that you overheard them planning this burglary, as you listened behind the garret door?" "Of course I can," replied Blossom, "I remember it _quite_ plain. Jist tell me the number of the house that is to be robbed, and I'll show you fireworks." The Colonel's face was agitated by a smile of infernal delight. Leaving Blossom for a moment, he paced the floor, with his finger to his lip.