"What was his name?" asked Gibbon, with languid curiosity.
"Phil Stark, he calls himself."
A strange change came over the face of the bookkeeper.
There was a frightened look in his eyes, and his color faded.
"Phil Stark!" he repeated, in a startled tone.
"Yes, sir."
"What brings him here?" Gibbon asked himself
nervously, but no words passed his lips.
"Do you know the name?" asked Leonard, wonderingly.
"I--have heard it before, but--no, I don't
think it is the same man."
CHAPTER XIX.
AN ARTFUL SCHEME.
"Does this Mr. Stark intend to remain long
in the village!" inquired the bookkeeper, in
a tone of assumed indifference.
"He didn't say anything on that point,"
answered Leonard.
"He did not say what business brought him
here, I presume?"
"No, he was hardly in condition to say
much; he was pretty full," said Leonard, with
a laugh. "However, he wants me to call upon
him to-morrow, and may tell me then."
"He wants you to call upon him?"
"Yes, uncle."
"Are you going?"
"Yes; why shouldn't I?"
"I see no reason," said Gibbon, hesitating.
Then, after a pause he added: "If you see
the way clear, find out what brings him to
Milford."
"Yes, uncle, I will."
"Uncle Julius seems a good deal interested
in this man, considering that he is a stranger,"
thought the boy.
The bookkeeper was biting his nails, a habit
he had when he was annoyed. "And, Leonard,"
he added slowly, "don't mention my
name while you are speaking to Stark."
"No, sir, I won't, if you don't want me to,"
answered Leonard, his face betraying unmistakable
curiosity.
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