“I felt indignant.
“‘For that reason alone, if for no other,’ I exclaimed, ‘I refuse.’
“‘You are a little fool,’ he replied. ‘If you do not accept, you cease being in my employment. Reflect!’
“My mind was already made up, and I was thinking of looking out for some other occupation, when I received a note from my friend the peace-officer, requesting me to call at his office.
“I did so, and, after kindly inviting me to a seat,
“‘Well,’ he said, ‘what is there new?’
“‘Nothing. I have noticed no one watching me.’
“He looked annoyed.
“‘My agents have not detected any thing, either,’ he grumbled. ‘And yet it is evident that your enemies cannot have given it up so. They are sharp ones: if they keep quiet, it is because they are preparing some good trick. What it is I must and shall find out. Already I have an idea which would be an excellent one, if I could discover some way of throwing you among what is called good society.’
“I explained to him, that, being employed at Van Klopen’s, I had an opportunity to see there many ladies of the best society.