"
The unhappy bookkeeper saw the coils closing around him.
"I hope you will see your way to release me,"
said Stark, addressing himself to Mr. Jennings.
"I have just received information that
my poor mother is lying dangerously sick in
Cleveland, and I am anxious to start for her
bedside to-day."
"Why did you come round here this morning?"
asked Mr. Jennings.
"To ask Mr. Gibbon to repay me ten dollars
which he borrowed of me the other day,"
returned Stark, glibly.
"You--liar!" exclaimed Gibbon, angrily.
"I am prepared for this man's abuse," said Stark.
"I don't mind admitting now that a few days since
he invited me to join him in the robbery of the safe.
I threatened to inform you of his plan, and he promised
to give it up. I supposed he had done so, but it is
clear to me now that he carried out his infamous scheme."
Mr. Jennings looked amused. He admired Stark's
brazen effrontery.
"What have you to say to this charge, Mr. Gibbon?" he asked.
"Only this, sir, that I was concerned in the burglary."
"He admits it!" said Stark, triumphantly.
"But this man forced me to it. He threatened
to write you some particulars of my past
history which would probably have lost me my
position if I did not agree to join him in the
conspiracy. I was weak, and yielded. Now
he is ready to betray me to save himself."
"Mr. Jennings," said Stark, coldly, "you
will know what importance to attach to the
story of a self-confessed burglar. Gibbon, I
hope you will see the error of your ways, and
restore to your worthy employer the box of
valuable property which you stole from his safe.
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