There was something in the thief’s manner that had fired a spark of suspicion in the officer’s mind.
“Not a word about the girl,” Travers managed to whisper to Barnes in the moment Captain Stone had turned to address the thief.
“I won’t”––Barnes was replying when the Captain flung round on him.
“Stop that whispering, and come over here where I can get a good look at you. Which one of these men is the real Gladwin?”
“He is, of course!” Barnes nodded toward his friend. The truth of the situation had at last dawned upon him.
The thief smiled at Captain Stone and shook his head as if in compliment of the nerve of some criminals.
“H’m,” said the captain, turning to Barnes again. “And when did you find out that there was some one else who claimed to be Travers Gladwin?”
“Why,” replied Barnes briskly, “when Gladwin and I were here together this afternoon. The doorbell rang and two”–––
His friend shook a vigorous warning. Barnes stopped.