“Dead, long ago.”
“And my mother?”
“Dead also.”
Bob took a long breath. Was this man telling the truth?
“And you say my father would have jumped at a chance like this?” he said, slowly.
“Yes. He and I worked many a little game together, and never got caught, either. You had better join us, and I will show you all the ropes. It beats working hard all to bits.”
“You are an infernal scamp!” burst out Bob. “Tell me my father was a thief? If I were loose I would—would—pulverize you. If you knew my father at all, it must have been at some time when he found you out and exposed you.”
Barker drew back as if shot. Evidently Bob’s last remark had struck home. He breathed hard, and glared at the youth.
“You don’t know when you’re well off,” he cried. “I offer you the best possible chance to make money, and you refuse.”
“I never trained with thieves,” returned Bob, stoutly.