"Quite so!" the Englishman reaffirmed. He pondered gravely a moment. "This is the third time, as you say, Mr. Preston," he reviewed, "that these extraordinary thefts have happened in the same towns with us since you—ah—joined with me. And, I say, this is the second instance of these bobry burglaries in the very inn with us!"
"Well, Mr. Dunneston?" the American urged on, expectantly, as the Briton hesitated again.
"I say, my dear fellow, don't fancy I have entertained it an instant. I've never imagined it for a moment, I assure you." The Englishman bent nearer his young companion solicitously. "But—ah—Mr. Preston, tell me, will you, how many times have you happened to encounter this extraordinary series of crimes in towns where you were stopping before we—ah—met?"
The American laid down his knife and fork and straightened stiffly; but meeting the frank and all unoffending equanimity of the Briton's
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