f his names. He was convicted under that name,
and retains it here on account of its being so far from the place of his
conviction. Whether it is his real name or not, I do not know. What is
the name of your bookkeeper?"

"Julius Gibbon."

"I don't remember ever having heard it. Evidently there has been some
past acquaintance between the two men, and that, I should say, is hardly
a recommendation for Mr. Gibbon. Of course that alone is not enough to
condemn him, but the intimacy is certainly a suspicious circumstance."

The two soon reached the house of Mr. Jennings, for the distance was
only a quarter of a mile.

Mr. Jennings seemed a little surprised, but gave a kindly welcome to
his unexpected guest. It occurred to him that he might have come to give
some extra order for goods.

"You are surprised to see me," said Thorndike. "I came on a very
important matter."

A look of inquiry came over the face of Mr. Jennings.

"There's a thief in the village--a guest at the hotel--whom I recognize
as one of the most expert burglars in the country."

"I think I know whom you mean, a man of moderate height, rather thick
set, with small, black eyes and a slouch hat."

"Exactly."

"What can you tell me about him?"

Mr. Thorndike repeated the statement he had already made to Carl.

"Do you think our bank is in danger?" asked the manufacturer.

"Perhaps so, but the chief danger threatens you."

Mr. Jennings looked surprised.

"What makes you think so?"

"Because this man appears to be very intimate with your bookkeeper."

"How do you know that?" asked the little man, quickly.

"I refer you to Carl."

"Leonard Craig told me to-night that this man Stark spent every evening
at his uncle's house."

Mr. Jennings looked troubled.

"I am sorry to hear this," he said. "I dislike to lose confidence in any
man whom I have trusted."

"Have you noticed anything unusual in the demeanor of your bookkeeper of
late?" asked Thorndike.

"Yes; he has appeared out of spirits and nervous."

"That would seem to indicate he is conspiring to rob you."

"This very day, noticing the change in him, I offered him a week's
vacation. He promptly declined to take it."

"Of course. It would conflict with the plans of his confederate. I don't
know the man, but I do know human nature, and I venture to predict that
your safe will be opened within a week. Do you keep anything of value in
it?"

"There are my books, which are of great