"Thought you said you were out of a job," he said.
I made believe to be somewhat confused. "Ahh, I wasn't going to tell everything I knew to a stranger," I said.
He made haste to commend me. He affected a certain admiration of my astuteness. "You're a deep one, English! I bet you could teach me a trick or two!"
Have I mentioned that "English" is becoming my monaker?
By this time it is thoroughly understood between Jumbo and I that we are both "good sports," i.e., dependably crooked. It saves a lot of bluffing on both sides.
Jumbo asked me what my job was at Dunsany's. I explained how I handled all the stuff that was sent in to be reset, my particular job being to remove the jewels from their old settings before handing them on to the expert craftsmen.
"What a chance!" said Jumbo wistfully. "But I suppose they have you watched."
"Oh, yes," I said, and I went on to explain all the precautions against theft and loss, "but, of course——" Here I made believe to be overtaken by caution.
Jumbo's little eyes glistened. "Of course what?" he demanded.
I tried to turn the subject which only increased his eagerness. He kept after me.