You are free to return to your seats whenever you choose. This
gentleman was evidently mistaken," he added, speaking with withering
sarcasm and turning sharply toward his coadjutor. "You oughtn't to come to
these places in your present condition, sir. Take my advice and get along
home at once."
The bucolic gentleman, who had completely lost his appearance of
inebriety, mumbled a few incoherent words and departed. After his
departure Mr. Parker assumed a more genial attitude.
"Well, well! I suppose you only did your duty, sir," he remarked, with a
resigned sigh. "We were on our way to the bar. Will you join us, Mr.
Cullen?"
I did not hear the detective's reply, but somehow or other we all drifted
there. Mr. Moss at once found an easy-chair, which he pronounced to be "a
bit of all right" and in which he assumed an easy and elegant attitude.
Mr. Parker, Mr. Cullen, and I completed the circle, which now included a
professional gutter-thief, a disappointed detective, Mr. Parker and
myself. It was a unique moment in my life!
The wine affected the spirits of no one except, perhaps, Mr. Moss; and
him, when we finally broke up our party, we thought it advisable to get
rid of in quick order. To my surprise Mr.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137