"
Gibbon eyed his companion in crime distrustfully.
He saw that Stark was intending to throw him over.
"I am entirely willing to have my room at the hotel searched,"
continued Stark, gathering confidence. "If you find any traces
of the stolen property there, you are welcome to make the
most of them. I have no doubt Mr. Gibbon will make you
the same offer in regard to his house."
Gibbon saw at once the trap which had been
so craftily prepared for him. He knew that
any search of his premises would result in the
discovery of the tin box, and had no doubt that
Stark would he ready to testify to any falsehood
likely to fasten the guilt upon him.
His anger was roused and he forgot his prudence.
"You--scoundrel!" he hissed between his closed teeth.
"You seem excited," sneered Stark. "Is it possible
that you object to the search?"
"If the missing box is found on my premises,"
said Gibbon, in a white heat, "it is because
you have concealed it there."
Phil Stark shrugged his shoulders.
"I think, gentlemen," he said, "that settles it.
I am afraid Mr Gibbon is guilty. I shall be glad
to assist you to recover the stolen property.
Did the box contain much that was of value?"
"I must caution you both against saying anything
that will compromise you," said one of the officers.
"I have nothing to conceal," went on Stark,
brazenly. "I am obliged to believe that this
man committed the burglary. It is against
me that I have been his companion for the last
week or two, but I used to know him, and that
will account for it.
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