They lost no time in putting distance between them and that dangerous locality.
“Tell you what it is, Will,” said Joe, leaning doggedly against a lamp-post, “there’s something up. What is it?”
“Dead burglary, Joe. These fellers have been going through a friend of mine. They’ve laid out a plan to rob him ag’in next Friday. But I’m on hand to sp’ile their little game.”
“Can’t tell you now. You’ll know afore long. You’ll get paid, too, for our fun to-night. I’ll call on you soon at head-quarters in the square. Till then, mum’s the word.”
Will went his way, whistling his feelings in a very gay air.
He was diligent in his store duties for the next few days, being light-hearted in an unusual degree.
And yet he fell into bitter disgrace before the week was out.
It was Thursday. They were engaged in getting in an invoice of very valuable goods. These were black silks of superior quality, and very costly.
Will labored vigorously, but with the utmost good humor, at the task of getting the cases into the store and lowering them into the basement, where it was decided to place them for the present.
Yet he could not repress his overflowing spirits, and executed a break-down between the lowering of one case and the receiving of another, that excited the laughter of the men, and the indignation of Mr. Wilson, who was passing.
“See here, boy,” he cried. “We don’t hire you for a negro minstrel or for a ballet dancer. You’ve raised disturbance enough in the store already. Now I want this thing stopped. I warn you now that the next time you attempt it you will be sent about your business.”
“I’m about my bizness now,” said Will, as he lent a hand to the next case.
“You have entirely too much impudence, boy. I will not have these pert answers.”
“Dunno how you’re goin’ to help it. My tongue’s jist as hard to manage as my legs.”
“You have got to manage it, then,” cried Mr. Wilson, in sudden anger. “If not here, then somewhere else. Your insolence is getting unbearable.”
“You didn’t hire me, and I ain’t taking no discharge from you.”
“Now you get back to your end of the ship, and don’t be annoying a gentleman at his work,” said Will, impatiently. “You’re worse than a bad oyster. You’d best slide if you know when your mother’s pet is well off.”