“Very kind of you, I’m sure,” Sogrange answered. “Our friend here,” he added, indicating their guide, “found us trying to gain a little insight into the more interesting part of New York life. He was kind enough to express a wish to introduce us to you.”
The man smiled. He looked very much like some studious clerk, except that his voice seemed to ring with some latent power.
“I am afraid,” he said, “that your friend’s interest in you was not entirely unselfish. For three days he has carried in his pocket an order instructing him to produce you here.”
“I knew it!” Peter whispered, under his breath.
“You interest me,” Sogrange replied. “May I know whom I have the honor of addressing?”
“You can call me Burr,” the man announced, “Philip Burr. Your names it is not our wish to know.”
“I am afraid I do not quite understand,” Sogrange said.
“It was scarcely to be expected that you should,” Mr. Philip Burr admitted. “All I can tell you is that, in cases like yours, I really prefer not to know with whom I have to deal.”
“You speak as though you had business with us,” Peter remarked.
“Without doubt, I have,” the other replied, grimly. “It is my business to see that you do not leave these premises alive.”