I thought I might manage to open his safe
some dark night."
"No, no," protested Gibbon in alarm. "Don't think of it."
"Why not?" asked Stark, coolly.
"Because," answered Gibbon, in some agitation,
"I might be suspected."
"Well, perhaps you might; but I have got to look out
for number one. How do you expect me to live?"
"Go somewhere else. There are plenty of other
men as rich, and richer, where you would
not be compromising an old friend."
"It's because I have an old friend in the office
that I have thought this would be my best opening."
"Surely, man, you don't expect me to betray
my employer, and join with you in robbing him?"
"That's just what I do expect. Don't tell
me you have grown virtuous, Gibbon. The
tiger doesn't lose his spots or the leopard his
stripes. I tell you there's a fine chance for us
both. I'll divide with you, if you'll help me."
"But I've gone out of the business,"
protested Gibbon.
"I haven't. Come, old boy, I can't let any
sentimental scruples interfere with so good a
stroke of business."
"I won't help you!" said Gibbon, angrily.
"You only want to get me into trouble."
"You won't help me?" said Stark, with slow deliberation.
"No, I can't honorably. Can't you let me alone?"
"Sorry to say, I can't. If I was rich, I might;
but as it is, it is quite necessary for me to raise
some money somewhere. By all accounts, Jennings is rich,
and can spare a small part of his accumulations for
a good fellow that's out of luck.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116