“Carrying the tin box with them?”

“Yes, sir.  Mr. Stark wrapped it in a newspaper after they got outside.”

“But you saw the tin box?”

“Yes.”

“Then, if necessary, you can testify to it.  I thought it possible that Mr. Gibbon might have a key to open it.”

“I overheard Stark regretting that he could not open it so as to abstract the bonds and leave the box in the safe.  In that case, he said, it might be some time before the robbery was discovered.”

“He will himself make an unpleasant discovery when he opens the box.  I don’t think there is any call to pity him, do you, Carl?”

“No, sir.  I should like to be within sight when he opens it.”

The manufacturer laughed quietly.

“Yes,” he said; “if I could see it I should feel repaid for the loss of the box.  Let it be a lesson for you, my boy.  Those who seek to enrich themselves by unlawful means are likely in the end to meet with disappointment.”

“Do you think I need the lesson?” asked Carl, smiling.

“No, my lad.  I am sure you don’t.  But you do need a good night’s rest.  Let us go to bed at once, and get what sleep we may.  I won’t allow the burglary to keep me awake.”

He laughed in high good humor, and Carl went up to his comfortable room, where he soon lost all remembrance of the exciting scene of which he had been a witness.

Mr. Jennings went to the factory at the usual time the next morning.

As he entered the office the bookkeeper approached him pale and excited.

“Mr. Jennings,” he said, hurriedly, “I have bad news for you.”

“What is it, Mr. Gibbon?”

“When I opened the safe this morning, I discovered that the tin box had been stolen.”

Mr. Jennings took the news quietly.

“Have you any suspicion who took it?” he asked.

“No, sir.  I—­I hope the loss is not a heavy one.”

“I do not care to make the extent of the loss public.  Were there any marks of violence?  Was the safe broken open?”

“No, sir.”

“Singular; is it not?”

“If you will allow me I will join in offering a reward for the discovery of the thief.  I feel in a measure responsible.”

“I will think of your offer, Mr. Gibbon.”

“He suspects nothing,” thought Gibbon, with a sigh of relief.

CHAPTER XXV.

Stark’s disappointment.

Philip Stark went back to the hotel with the tin box under his arm.  He would like to have entered the hotel without notice, but this was impossible, for the landlord’s nephew was just closing up.  Though not late for the city, it was very late for the country, and he looked surprised when Stark came in.

“I am out late,” said Stark, with a smile.

“Yes.”

“That is, late for Milford.  In the city I never go to bed before midnight.”