"
"Singular; is it not?"
"If you will allow me I will join in offering
a reward for the discovery of the thief. I
feel in a measure responsible."
"I will think of your offer, Mr. Gibbon."
"He suspects nothing," thought Gibbon,
with a sigh of relief.
CHAPTER XXV.
STARK'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
Philip Stark went back to the hotel with
the tin box under his arm. He would like to
have entered the hotel without notice, but this
was impossible, for the landlord's nephew was
just closing up. Though not late for the city,
it was very late for the country, and he looked
surprised when Stark came in.
"I am out late," said Stark, with a smile.
"Yes."
"That is, late for Milford. In the city
I never go to bed before midnight."
"Have you been out walking?"
"Yes."
"You found it rather dark, did you not?"
"It is dark as a pocket."
"You couldn't have found the walk a very
pleasant one."
"You are right, my friend; but I didn't walk
for pleasure. The fact is, I am rather worried
about a business matter. I have learned
that I am threatened with a heavy loss--an
unwise investment in the West--and I wanted
time to think it over and decide how to act."
"I see," answered the clerk, respectfully, for
Stark's words led him to think that his guest
was a man of wealth.
"I wish I was rich enough to be worried by
such a cause," he said, jokingly.
"I wish you were. Some time I may be able
to throw something in your way."
"Do you think it would pay me to go to the West?"
asked the clerk, eagerly.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133