CHAPTER SEVEN.
ANSON REBOUNDS.
West saw his fellow-clerk wince slightly again, though it passed unnoticed by the others, and directly after the whole party adjourned to the office, the superintendent's men following them, and, without doing anything to excite attention, forming a guard at the door.
"There's nothing here," said the superintendent in a low tone to Ingleborough and West.
"How do you know ?" said the former.
"By his manner.

He's all brag and bounce!" "Yes," said Ingleborough; "but you don't know your man." "Look here!" cried Anson; "none of that! Search if you like, but no plotting and planning there! I don't see why they shouldn't be charged too.

Search their desks as well as mine.

Perhaps you'll find some illicit-diamonds there." West started, for a strange suspicion shot through his breast.
"If you do they'll swear I put 'em there, and the superintendent will believe them." "You scoundrel!" cried West passionately, and Anson uttered a low sneering laugh; but his face grew set directly, as the officer turned upon him.
"Which is your desk, sir ?" he said sharply.
"Search them all!" was the reply.
"Which is his desk ?" said the superintendent to West now.
The young man made no reply, and Ingleborough pointed it out.
"Friends and brother-workers!" said Anson, in a sneering manner.

"Look here, noble employers, play fair! Let's have all the desks and the whole place searched." No one spoke, and after a cursory examination of the tall stool in front of the desk the officer picked up a thick silver-mounted rattan cane thrust in a stand by the side of the desk in company with three umbrellas.
"Yours ?" he said, turning to the suspect.
"Yes, and one of the umbrellas too.