“Julius Gibbon.”
“I don’t remember ever having heard it. Evidently there has been some past acquaintance between the two men, and that, I should say, is hardly a recommendation for Mr. Gibbon. Of course that alone is not enough to condemn him, but the intimacy is certainly a suspicious circumstance.”
The two soon reached the house of Mr. Jennings, for the distance was only a quarter of a mile.
Mr. Jennings seemed a little surprised, but gave a kindly welcome to his unexpected guest. It occurred to him that he might have come to give some extra order for goods.
“You are surprised to see me,” said Thorndike. “I came on a very important matter.”
A look of inquiry came over the face of Mr. Jennings.
“There’s a thief in the village–a guest at the hotel–whom I recognize as one of the most expert burglars in the country.”
“I think I know whom you mean, a man of moderate height, rather thick set, with small, black eyes and a slouch hat.”
“Exactly.”
“What can you tell me about him?”
Mr. Thorndike repeated the statement he had already made to Carl.
“Do you think our bank is in danger?” asked the manufacturer.
“Perhaps so, but the chief danger threatens you.”
Mr. Jennings looked surprised.
“What makes you think so?”
“Because this man appears to be very intimate with your bookkeeper.”
“How do you know that?” asked the little man, quickly.
“I refer you to Carl.”
“Leonard Craig told me to-night that this man Stark spent every evening at his uncle’s house.”
Mr. Jennings looked troubled.
“I am sorry to hear this,” he said. “I dislike to lose confidence in any man whom I have trusted.”
“Have you noticed anything unusual in the demeanor of your bookkeeper of late?” asked Thorndike.
“Yes; he has appeared out of spirits and nervous.”
“That would seem to indicate he is conspiring to rob you.”
“This very day, noticing the change in him, I offered him a week’s vacation. He promptly declined to take it.”
“Of course. It would conflict with the plans of his confederate. I don’t know the man, but I do know human nature, and I venture to predict that your safe will be opened within a week. Do you keep anything of value in it?”
“There are my books, which are of great value to me.”
“But not to a thief. Anything else?”
“Yes; I have a tin box containing four thousand dollars in government bonds.”
“Coupon or registered?”
“Coupon.”
“Nothing could be better–for a burglar. What on earth could induce you to keep the bonds in your own safe?”
“To tell the truth, I considered them quite as safe there as in the bank. Banks are more likely to be robbed than private individuals.”
“Circumstances alter cases. Does anyone know that you have the bonds in your safe?”
“My bookkeeper is aware of it.”
“Then, my friend, I caution you to remove the bonds from so unsafe a depository as soon as possible. Unless I am greatly mistaken, this man, Stark, has bought over your bookkeeper, and will have his aid in robbing you.”
“What is your advice?”
“To remove the bonds this very evening,” said Thorndike.
“Do you think the danger so pressing?”
“Of course I don’t know that an attempt will be made to-night, but it is quite possible. Should it be so, you would have an opportunity to realize that delays are dangerous.”
“Should Mr. Gibbon find, on opening the safe to-morrow morning, that the box is gone, it may lead to an attack upon my house.”
“I wish you to leave the box in the safe.”
“But I understand that you advised me to remove it.”
“Not the box, but the bonds. Listen to my plan. Cut out some newspaper slips of about the same bulk as the bonds, put them in place of the bonds in the box, and quietly transfer the bonds in your pocket to your own house. To-morrow you can place them in the bank. Should no burglary be attempted, let the box remain in the safe, just as if its contents were valuable.”
“Your advice is good, and I will adopt it,” said Jennings, “and thank you for your valuable and friendly instruction.”