"I can give no guarantee until I know more."

"Oh, what shall I do?" exclaimed the woman.

"Trust me; trust in my honor."

A moment the beautiful lady meditated and then said:

"Yes, I will trust you. I can do nothing else."

"I do not think you will have reason to regret trusting me."

"My father lives in Ma.s.sachusetts. He is an engraver. My brother inherited a marvelous talent for engraving, but he detested the employment. He went into other business, and met a very beautiful and accomplished girl. He was to be married when he lost his position. It maddened him, and in a desperate moment he fell in with one of the members of this gang. He was beguiled into betraying the fact of his wonderful skill as an engraver. He had no idea at the time of offering his services, but they induced him to show them a specimen of his handiwork. Then they offered him splendid inducements to join them, promising him a fortune. He was dazzled; he saw a way to win a fortune and his bride, and he yielded to the temptation. He has produced some wonderful plates. I do not believe his equal lives on the face of the earth at his craft."

The story told by the woman was probable and reasonable, and it did appear that our hero was about to secure men and evidence in a most strange, remarkable, and complete manner.

"Where do you reside?" asked Oscar.

"I am temporarily residing in New York. I am studying typewriting. I hope to be able to earn my own living as a typewriter, but it would be a grand thing for me if I could secure a few hundred dollars out of the reward."

"Is it your desire to obtain the reward, or is it your main purpose to save your brother?"

"It is my main purpose to save my brother. I do not care for the reward on my own account solely, but with it I can send my brother away. I believe he will learn a lesson that will last him all his life when those men are arrested and punished. And with the money he will have a chance to make a fresh start in some other city."

Oscar thought the matter over, and we will admit that there was no doubt in his mind as to the genuineness of the story he had listened to. It did not appear that there was the least possibility of its being a false tale. It was not the beautiful face of the narrator and proposer that had led him to this conclusion. It was the probability and reasonableness of the story itself; but with his usual caution he determined to investigate. He was not prepared to accept any statement, no matter how probable and reasonable, without absolute proof. Still, as intimated, there was no question in his mind as to the genuineness of the information and the sincerity of the proposition.

"How do you intend to proceed?" he asked.

"In order to obtain the reward you must not only secure the men but convict them," said the beauty.

"That is true."

Oscar was a little disturbed here at the girl's singular knowledge and shrewdness.

"These men have constant meetings with my brother."

"Where?"

"At the little house where I and my brother reside."

"Where is that house located?"

"In Brooklyn."

"And these men go to your home?"

"Yes."

"Do they know you are acquainted with the purpose of their visits?"

"No."

"Are the plates in this house?"

"No."

"Where are they?"

"I do not know. I only propose to furnish you the opening clues and let you follow them up and find the plates and all the evidence."

"Your brother knows where the plates are concealed?"

"He does."

"Can you not secure the information from him?"

"I cannot. I have tried to do so, but he tells me he is bound by terrible oaths not to reveal where the workshop is located."

"He never works at your home?"

"Never. He is often gone away all night. I think they work at night."

"Then how can I locate them?"

"You can trail my brother. Shadow the men also whom you will meet at our home."

"I am to go to your house?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Any time you may elect."

"And then?"

"I will conceal you. You can see the men who come to talk with my brother. You can overhear all that pa.s.ses. You can identify them and shadow them. I think they go from our house to the secret workshop."

"I will arrange with you to go to your home."

"When?"

"At some future time."

"Very soon?"

"Yes."

"Within forty-eight hours?"