"
"All the more reason for forming good habits, sir."
"Spoken like a philosopher. Are you in the
employ of my friend, Mr. Jennings?"
"Yes, sir."
"Learning the business?"
"That is my present intention."
"If you ever come out to Chicago, call on
me, and if you are out of a place, I will give you one."
"Are you not a little rash, Mr. Thorndike,
to offer me a place when you know so little of me?"
"I trust a good deal to looks. I care more
for them than for recommendations."
At that moment Phil Stark came out of the
hotel, and passing them, stepped off the piazza
into the street.
Mr. Thorndike half rose from his seat,
and looked after him.
"Who is that?" he asked, in an exciting whisper.
"A man named Stark, who is boarding at the hotel.
Do you know him?"
"Do I know him?" repeated Thorndike. "He
is one of the most successful burglars in the West."
CHAPTER XXIII.
PREPARING FOR THE BURGLAR.
Carl stared at Mr. Thorndike in surprise and dismay.
"A burglar!" he ejaculated.
"Yes; I was present in the courtroom when
he was convicted of robbing the Springfield bank.
I sat there for three hours, and his face
was impressed upon my memory. I saw him
later on in the Joliet Penitentiary. I was
visiting the institution and saw the prisoners file
out into the yard. I recognized this man instantly.
Do you know how long he has been here?"
"For two weeks I should think."
"He has some dishonest scheme in his head,
I have no doubt. Have you a bank in Milford?"
"Yes.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122