"Now," she said, "I shall explain the plan I have formed to save Jimmy Smith."

"What is it?" asked Mabel eagerly.

Shirley seated herself comfortably before she spoke and told Mabel to do the same. Her reply was a question.

"Have you ever noticed," she asked, "how closely Jimmy Smith and I resemble each other?"

"Of course," said Mabel. "Father and I have often spoken of it. Others also have noticed the resemblance. Why?"

"Because," said Shirley, slowly and distinctly, "in that resemblance lies the success of my plan."

Mabel looked at her friend in astonishment.

"What do you mean?" she demanded.

Shirley smiled a little at her chum's very evident surprise.

"I'll tell you," she replied, and settled herself to explain. "You remember, of course, that Mr. Jones,"-she spoke the "Mr." with a touch of sarcasm-"told Jimmy Smith to communicate with him if he considered his proposition favorably?"

"Yes."

"Well, the first thing I want to do is to get the address he gave Jimmy.

Then I-not Jimmy-shall communicate with him. I'll tell him I have decided to accept his offer, and that I should like to have another talk with him; and I'll sign the letter 'Jimmy Smith.'"

"But what good will that do?"

"It will do a whole lot of good."

"But I can't see--"

"It will do a whole lot of good," explained Shirley quietly, "because when Mr. Jones has an interview with Jimmy Smith, he will have an interview with me, disguised as Jimmy Smith."

Mabel jumped to her feet in surprise.

"You mean that you-" she began.

"Exactly," interrupted Shirley. "Jimmy Smith will know nothing about the matter."

Shirley sat back in her chair and beamed at her friend.

"Now what do you think of my plan?" she asked.

"I think it's foolish," was Mabel's prompt response. "You are sure to get yourself in trouble. Suppose your ident.i.ty should be discovered?"

"But it won't. Jimmy and I look too much alike for that. Besides, the very boldness of the plan will work in my favor. In any event, I am going to try it, and I need your help."

"Of course I shall help," said Mabel, "but just the same I think you would do a whole lot better to tell your father the whole business."

"And have Jimmy Smith thrown off the place? I should say not."

"But if he considers doing a thing like that, he should be thrown off the place."

"No," said Shirley gravely. "It is his first temptation, and we should do what we can to save him."

"But," said Mabel, "if you write to Mr. Jones, and he answers, he will naturally address his reply to 'Jimmy Smith,' and Jimmy will get it."

"Goodness gracious," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Shirley. "I hadn't thought of that."

She was silent some moments and then continued:

"Well, then, when I find the address, I'll simply write and tell him to meet me in a certain place."

"That will be much better," agreed Mabel. "But, honestly, Shirley, I don't think much of the plan. You are sure to get into trouble of some kind."

"Perhaps," said Shirley with a shrug of her shoulders, "but I'll get out all right. Besides, I shall be saving Jimmy; and, after all, the saving of one boy's honor is surely worth the risk."

Mabel was struck with a new thought.

"Perhaps Jimmy has already written."

"I hardly think so," was the reply. "It is too soon."

"But he may write after you do, and thus lead to your discovery."

"I had thought of that," said Shirley, "and for that reason we must manage to get the address away from him at once. He is hardly likely to remember it, and when he cannot find the card he probably will forget all about the matter."

"But--" began Mabel.

Shirley waved her right hand impatiently.

"My gracious," she exclaimed, "don't be looking for trouble all the time. I know there is a risk, but we shall have to take it. Now the first thing to do is to get the card from Jimmy."

"And how do you expect to manage that?"

"Just leave that to me," said Shirley, airily. "I'll get it, and he won't know anything about it."

"All right," said Mabel, doubtfully, "but--"

Shirley cut short these protests.

"Come with me," she said, and led the way from the room.

CHAPTER X.-SETTING THE TRAP.