whole concern, and set off for America. He wrote home to me for some time, but it's more than twenty years since I have heard a word of him, and I certainly never expected to hear of him again. However, he has arrived at Liverpool, and so ill, they say he can't move farther. So there is nothing left for me to do but to go to him. And I'm sure I don't know what I should do, if I had not you to leave here."

And the old gentleman repeated the innumerable directions which Frank had heard at least twenty times before that evening; but he still listened patiently, and promised to do his best to see everything carried out in his master's absence, as though he were at home.

"The only thing I fear is that Sharpley," he said; "I'm afraid he isn't very steady; and, perhaps, when you are gone, he may take it into his head to be getting into mischief."

"I wish he didn't sleep in the house," said Frank.

"Perhaps it is just as well he does," replied Mr. Johnson. "I am like you; I don't like the man. And if I could get another to fill his place I would not keep him. I mean to part with him as soon as I can. He's a good man of business, but I suspect, as you say, not good for much besides; for his mother and sisters are very poor, although he gets

such good wages.

You must see him safely in

every night, and keep the key."

Frank promised this also, and soon after he returned to Beverton. He remembered the time, three years ago, when he had been left with a somewhat similar charge upon his hands, though with rather less valuable property. He prayed that this time nothing might go wrong; and then he formed all his plans for securing, so far as he possibly could, that everything should go right. Mr. Johnson might be away a week, or even more, if he should find his brother too ill to allow of his being moved to Beverton. This proved to be the case. Frank received a note, to tell him so, two days afterwards. The first few days passed quietly enough. Frank fancied that some of the men did not much like his being left in possession of so much authority. He heard sneering remarks, saw contemptuous looks; but, by appearing not to hear the one or see the other, he kept on terms with all.

On the fourth evening, however, just as they were closing the shop, Sharpley prepared, as usual, to go out into the town; and, as he did so, remarked to Frank that he might be late, and no one need sit up for him. Frank suggested, that he thought, while Mr. Johnson was away, every one in the house ought to be in betimes.

"Oh, you can give me the key,” replied

Sharpley. And then he added, as if he knew without being told, that Frank would certainly not part with the key, "Or you can go to bed, and leave the back-window unfastened. I can get in that way. Anyhow, don't expect me, for I have an engagement, and shall be late."

Frank tried to persuade him that it was really not right to be going out at that hour, when he knew how much Mr. Johnson would disapprove of his doing so; and told him plainly, that he should think it his duty to sit up for him till he returned. "That's right," said Sharpley; "use your authority while you have it. No doubt, you think you're a very clever fellow! But you'll be a great deal cleverer than I take you to be, if you manage to make me answer to your beck and call;" and Sharpley left the shop, whistling.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"If a thief break thy dwelling, and thou take him, it were sin in thee to let him go;

Yea, though he pleadeth to thy mercy, thou canst not spare him, and be blameless :

For his guilt is not only against thee; it is not thy monies, or thy merchandise,

But he hath done damage to the law, which duty constraineth thee to sanction."-Proverbial Philosophy.

FRANK had no intention whatever of leaving the back-window open, or of going to bed. He waited till ten o'clock, sent the boys to bed, carefully locked every door and window, took a book, and sat down to read. Twelve o'clock struck. One o'clock-two o'clock-three o'clock. Still Sharpley did not return, and still Frank sat up reading. At length, just as dawn was beginning to break, Frank heard some one try the door, and opening the window to inquire who was there, found it was Sharpley, the tones of his voice telling him at the same time in what condition. "I'll leave my candle

here," thought Frank, " and get him to his room without one. He's in no state to be trusted with a light, and he might do mischief." So he went down-stairs, and and with some trouble brought Sharpley up, and got him to bed, and then he went to his own for a few hours' unrefreshing sleep. All the next day Sharpley remained in his room; the best place for him, Frank thought, for there he was at least out of mischief, and he did not quite know what to do with him. He felt sure that, if Mr. Johnson were at home, he would at once dismiss him for remaining out until four o'clock in the morning, and then returning in a state of intoxication; but this he could not take it upon himself to do. So he wrote an account of the whole affair to Mr. Johnson, and then devoted himself to keeping a strict watch. Night came. Frank went to bed, but, wearied as he was with his last night's watching, he could not sleep. He kept thinking that Sharpley might be getting up, and opening some of the doors or windows to let himself out, or some one else in. He would get up and watch through this night also. He put his door wide open, and again watched, very weary, certainly, but determined not to lose a sound that might pass in the house. Again twelve o'clock struck-then oneand Frank was beginning to feel that, perhaps, he need not have made himself uneasy, when a slight