"Not the least," she answered; "even if he took it I should always be in danger of him. In that case I should have to discharge him, and his very life would be a continual menace to me!"
"Is he a married man?"
"No; he is not."
"Has he an extensive business? I mean by that, would his death or departure be the means of bringing misery upon other people?"
"He has no occupation at all, save what I have given him. No. He has idled away his life on the bounty I have paid him for keeping me informed of all that goes on."
"And now he is going to kill the goose that lays the gorden eggs? The man must be mad to contemplate such an act of folly."
"There is a method in his madness, though," she answered. "He evidently believes I am on the eve of being captured, and as the reward is a large one, he wishes to secure it before it is snapped up by anybody else."
I thought for a little while and then spoke again.
"You say he is unmarried; in that case he has no wife or children to consider. He has no business—then he cannot bring ruin upon a trusting public. I should say abduct him before he can do any harm. Surely it could be managed with a little ingenuity?"
Alie was silent for a few moments. Then she looked up and her face brightened.
"I believe you have hit on the very idea," she said. "I will think it over, and, if possible, it shall be carried into effect. Yes, I will abduct him, and bring him here. But we must remember that he has always been
