“Oh, I thought you said you were a stranger here.”
Gray changed from pale to red, and from red to pale again, as he replied,—
“You misunderstood me, sir.”
“Oh, did I? Very likely.”
“Good evening.”
“You had rather walk alone, would you?”
Gray summoned courage to say with tolerable firmness,—
“I would.”
“Certainly—certainly. Mind if you see anybody that looks suspicious, lay hold of him; it may be the murderer, you know, and it would be a prime evening’s work for anybody to nab him. He is about your height—thin and pale, stoops a little, shabbily dressed. Look out—look out.”
“I—I will. Are you an officer?”