Rufus looked sharply at Martin to ascertain if he was speaking the truth. He decided that it was as his step-father stated, and, if this was the case, he would have more than one enemy to deal with.
"Does the other man live here?" he asked.
"Maybe he does, and maybe he doesn't."
"Who is he?"
"Maybe it's the Emperor of Chiny, and maybe it isn't. What would you give to know?"
"Not much," said Rufus, assuming an indifferent tone. "You're the man that took the box,—that's enough for me."
"He put me up to it," said Martin, unguardedly.
"I thought Martin wasn't smart enough to plan the robbery himself," said Rufus to himself. He resolved to appear indifferent to this information, in the hope of learning more.
"You can settle that among yourselves," he said, quietly. "If you consented to do it, you're as much to blame as he."
At this moment Smith, influenced by curiosity, opened the door and entered.