“Good! We must have those bonds, Gibbon.”
CHAPTER XXII.
MR. STARK IS RECOGNIZED.
Phil Stark was resolved not to release his hold upon his old acquaintance. During the day he spent his time in lounging about the town, but in the evening he invariably fetched up at the bookkeeper’s modest home. His attentions were evidently not welcome to Mr. Gibbon, who daily grew more and more nervous and irritable, and had the appearance of a man whom something disquieted.
Leonard watched the growing intimacy with curiosity. He was a sharp boy, and he felt convinced that there was something between his uncle and the stranger. There was no chance for him to overhear any conversation, for he was always sent out of the way when the two were closeted together. He still met Mr. Stark outside, and played billiards with him frequently. Once he tried to extract some information from Stark.
“You’ve known my uncle a good while,” he said, in a tone of assumed indifference.
“Yes, a good many years,” answered Stark, as he made a carom.
“Were you in business together?”
“Not exactly, but we may be some time,” returned Stark, with a significant smile.