“A smile of triumph flitted over Pegon’s face; he beckoned to me. I came up and stood by the side of Toko, who was sitting disconsolately upon a bench.
“The musical performance was arrested, and the people who were in the hall manifested the most lively interest in the proceedings of Pegon and myself.
“I was especially an object of remark and scrutiny.
“‘Mr. Halliday,’ I said, in a low voice to Toko.
“He started; my words roused him from his listless apathetic mood, and he asked in a hurried voice if I spoke to him.
“‘Certainly,’ I replied, ‘that is your name.’
“‘How do you know?’
“‘That does not matter; you cannot deny it.’
“‘I can—I do,’ he vociferated.
“‘Your violent asseverations—’ I began, when he interrupted me, saying—