The packet had
disappeared. He noticed my look of surprise and seemed gratified.
"A mere trifle, that!" he declared. "I can assure you that I could have
taken it out of your pocket, if I had desired, without your feeling a
thing."
"Wonderful!" I murmured, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
"Just a gift!" he continued modestly. "We all have our talents, you know.
I have ordered some special coffee."
I was beginning to think rapidly now.
"By the by," I asked, "what is Mr. Cullen's profession?"
"He is a detective," Mr. Parker answered, without hesitation; "and, to my
mind, a singularly bad one. For two months he has had what they call his
eye on me. Between ourselves I think he will have his eye on me still in
another two months' time. I am sure I hope so, for I frankly admit that
half the savor of life would be gone if my friend, Mr. Cullen, were to
finally give me up as a bad job and leave me alone."
I suppose that something of what I was feeling was reflected in my face. I
had always considered myself a man of the world and I was interested
enough in my fellows to enjoy mixing with all classes.
But there was the girl!
"You are thinking--!" my companion began softly.
"Your friend," I interrupted, "has just entered the restaurant.
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