the lid in his hand, he respectfully requested the sum which had been offered; and, as he had expected, it was refused.  A much less sum was meanly proposed in its stead, on the plea that it was surely sufficient for a few minutes’ work.  Amos was indignant and inexorable.  The merchant shuffled and fumed.  In an instant down went the lid of the chest, and, fastening by a spring, it was again locked as securely as before.

The merchant looked aghast at Amos, and then darted a glance at the clock:  the hand pointed to within twenty minutes of three, and seemed posting over the figures with the speed of light.  What was to be done?  At first he tried to bully, but it would not do.  Amos told him, if he had sustained any injury, he might sue as soon as he pleased, for that his time was too precious just now to be wasted in trifling affairs; and, with a face of unruffled composure, he turned on his heel and was leaving the office.

The merchant called him back—­he had no alternative—­his credit was at stake—­he was humbled by the necessity of the case; and handing forth the five dollars, ‘There, Sparks,’ said he, ’take your money, and let us have no more words.’

‘I must have ten dollars now,’ replied the locksmith.  ’You would have taken advantage of a poor man; and, besides opening your strong box there, I have a lesson to offer which is well worth a trifling sum.  You would not only have deprived me of what had been fairly earned, but have tempted me into a lawsuit which would have ruined my family.  You will never in future presume upon your wealth in your dealings with the poor, without thinking of the locksmith, and those five dollars may save you much sin and much repentance.’

This homily, besides being preached in a tone of calm determination, which left no room to hope for any abatement, had exhausted another minute or two of the time already so precious.  The merchant hurriedly counted out the ten dollars, which Amos deliberately inspected, to see that they belonged to no insolvent bank, and then deposited them in his pocket.  Having thus made quite sure of his reward, he dexterously opened the lock, and placed the merchant in possession of his property, in time to save his credit at the bank.

About a month after this affair, the Philadelphia bank was robbed of coin and notes to the amount of fifty thousand dollars.  The bars of a window had been cut, and the vault entered so ingeniously, that it was evident the burglar had possessed, besides daring courage, a good deal of mechanical skill.  The police scoured the city and country round about, but no clue to the discovery of the robbery could be traced.  The public mind was powerfully excited.  Everybody who had anything to lose, felt that daring and ingenious felons were abroad, who might probably pay them a visit; all were therefore interested in the discovery and the conviction of the perpetrator of so daring a deed.  Suspicions at length began