The man’s eyebrows crept close together. His eyes became fixed and steady. The expression on his face betrayed suspicion.
“Good,” said Paget. “Now try this one. I’ve fooled you, laying you open to an idea without you knowing it. For instance, I want to visit you. I’ve just told you that I’m not doing anything right now, and you’re thinking about inviting me out to see you.”
The man’s eyelids raised.
“That’s it,” declared Paget. “You’ve got it perfectly. I watched to-day, to make sure—”
The man smiled.
“Be on hand here, in the evenings,” Paget said.
“Right.”
“Above all—” The words suddenly froze on Paget’s lips. He was staring beyond his companion, gazing intently at the window. The man noticed his eyes and began to turn. Paget gripped his wrist and muttered without moving his lips.
“Look this way,” were Paget’s words. “Don’t turn.”
Paget’s lackadaisical manner returned instantly. His eyes shifted toward the floor, but they were still in the direction of the window. Paget inserted a cigarette in his ivory holder.