Chapter XXVII. Brought to Bay

Phil Stark made an effort to get away, but the officer was too quick for him. In a trice he was handcuffed.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" demanded Stark, boldly.

"I have already explained," said the manufacturer, quietly.

"You are quite on the wrong tack," continued Stark, brazenly. "Mr. Gibbon was just informing me that the safe had been opened and robbed. It is the first I knew of it."

Julius Gibbon seemed quite prostrated by his arrest. He felt it necessary to say something, and followed the lead of his companion.

"You will bear me witness, Mr. Jennings," he said, "that I was the first to inform you of the robbery. If I had really committed the burglary, I should have taken care to escape during the night."

"I should be glad to believe in your innocence," rejoined the manufacturer. "but I know more about this matter than you suppose."

"I won't answer for Mr. Gibbon," said Stark, who cared nothing for his confederate, if he could contrive to effect his own escape. "Of course he had opportunities, as bookkeeper, which an outsider could not have."

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