"
Mr. Cullen, who had been walking carefully between him and the other two,
smiled in a superior way.
"Please feel in all your pockets," he told his accomplice.
The old gentleman obeyed. Suddenly he stopped short. A blank expression
came into his face.
"What have you got there?" I asked.
He brought it out with ill-concealed reluctance. It was, without doubt,
the pocketbook. I shall never forget Mr. Cullen's face! He was bereft of
words. He stared at it as though he had seen it come up through the floor.
Mr. Moss simply stood with his mouth open. Mr. Parker alone appeared
unmoved by any emotion of surprise. His manner was serious--almost
dignified.
"I want you to take this from me straight, Mr. Cullen," he said. "I am not
a man who loses his temper easily, but you're trying us a bit high."
Mr. Cullen remained for a moment or two speechless. He looked at me and
drew a long breath. I knew perfectly well what he was thinking. He had had
a man on either side of Mr. Parker and Mr. Moss. The only person who could
have transferred that pocketbook was myself. I could see him readjusting
his ideas as to my moral character.
"Mr. Parker--gentlemen," he said, removing his hat, "pray accept my
apologies.
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