Presently they came so near that Carl could
hear their voices.
"I wish it was over," murmured Gibbon, nervously.
"Don't worry," said his companion. "There is no
occasion for haste. Everybody in Milford is in bed
and asleep, and we have several hours at our disposal."
"You must remember that my reputation is
at stake. This night's work may undo me."
"My friend, you can afford to take the chances.
Haven't I agreed to give you half the bonds?"
"I shall be suspected, and shall be obliged
to stand my ground, while you will disappear
from the scene."
"Two thousand dollars will pay you for some
inconvenience. I don't see why you should be
suspected. You will be supposed to be fast
asleep on your virtuous couch, while some bad
burglar is robbing your worthy employer. Of
course you will be thunderstruck when in the
morning the appalling discovery is made. I'll
tell you what will be a good dodge for you."
"Well?"
"Offer a reward of a hundred dollars from
your own purse for the discovery of the villain
who has robbed the safe and abstracted
the bonds."
Phil Stark burst out into a loud guffaw as
he uttered these words.
"Hush!" said Gibbon, timidly. "I thought
I heard some one moving."
"What a timid fool you are!" muttered Stark,
contemptuously. "If I had no more pluck,
I'd hire myself out to herd cows."
"It's a better business," said Gibbon, bitterly.
"Well, well, each to his taste! If you lose
your place as bookkeeper, you might offer your
services to some farmer.
Pages:
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129