“What was his name?” asked Gibbon, with languid curiosity.

“Phil Stark, he calls himself.”

A strange change came over the face of the bookkeeper.  There was a frightened look in his eyes, and his color faded.

“Phil Stark!” he repeated, in a startled tone.

“Yes, sir.”

“What brings him here?” Gibbon asked himself nervously, but no words passed his lips.

“Do you know the name?” asked Leonard, wonderingly.

“I—­have heard it before, but—­no, I don’t think it is the same man.”

CHAPTER XIX.

An artful scheme.

“Does this Mr. Stark intend to remain long in the village!” inquired the bookkeeper, in a tone of assumed indifference.

“He didn’t say anything on that point,” answered Leonard.

“He did not say what business brought him here, I presume?”

“No, he was hardly in condition to say much; he was pretty full,” said Leonard, with a laugh.  “However, he wants me to call upon him to-morrow, and may tell me then.”

“He wants you to call upon him?”

“Yes, uncle.”

“Are you going?”

“Yes; why shouldn’t I?”

“I see no reason,” said Gibbon, hesitating.  Then, after a pause he added:  “If you see the way clear, find out what brings him to Milford.”

“Yes, uncle, I will.”

“Uncle Julius seems a good deal interested in this man, considering that he is a stranger,” thought the boy.

The bookkeeper was biting his nails, a habit he had when he was annoyed.  “And, Leonard,” he added slowly, “don’t mention my name while you are speaking to Stark.”

“No, sir, I won’t, if you don’t want me to,” answered Leonard, his face betraying unmistakable curiosity.  His uncle noted this, and explained hurriedly:  “It is possible that he may be a man whom I once met under disagreeable circumstances, and I would prefer not to meet him again.  Should he learn that I was living here, he would be sure to want to renew the acquaintance.”

“Yes, sir, I see.  I don’t think he would want to borrow money, for he seems to be pretty well provided.  I made a dollar out of him to-day, and that is one reason why I am willing to call on him again.  I may strike him for another bill.”

“There is no objection to that, provided you don’t talk to him too freely.  I don’t think he will want to stay long in Milford.”

“I wouldn’t if I had as much money as he probably has.”

“Do you often meet the new boy?”

“Carl Crawford?”

“Yes; I see him on the street quite often.”

“He lives with Mr. Jennings, I hear.”

“So he tells me.”

“It is rather strange.  I didn’t suppose that Jennings would care to receive a boy in his house, or that tall grenadier of a housekeeper, either.  I expect she rules the household.”