If more than one person shall claim the right to redeem a pledge, the pawnbroker shall incur no liability for refusing to deliver the pledge until the respective rights of the claimants shall have been adjudicated. In case action be brought against the pawnbroker for recovery of the pledge, he may, as a defense, require all known claimants to interplead. If no action be brought against the pawnbroker by either party within the period for which he is required, under this article to hold the pledge, or within thirty days of notice of an adverse claim, he may proceed to sell the pledge and hold the surplus, if any, subject to adjudication or other adjustment of the parties’ rights.