"Then you must have learned it at some time while I was not—" here Pendleton paused, and then proceeded in another tone. "But you have not been out of my sight since dinner. Everything you have heard, I have heard; all that you have seen, I have seen."
"Just so," said Ashton-Kirk.
There was a pause; they walked along toward the place where they were to get a street car. At length Pendleton spoke once more.
"And from the rather bald reports of your two assistants, and the talk of this man, Tobin, you have gathered these most vital facts?"
"We can hardly call them facts as yet," said the other; "but I have every confidence that we can do so within the time specified."
A gong sounded sharply and a car crossed the street. Pendleton placed his hand upon his friend's shoulder.
"Kirk," said he, "I am not going to ask another question. I'm just going to wait, and if it turns out as you say, I'll never question a statement of yours as long as I live. I'll swallow them all as the Mussulman swallows the Koran."
They boarded the car and Ashton-Kirk settled himself in a corner. His arms were folded across his chest, his head gradually sank forward. To all appearances he was asleep; but Pendleton knew that he was merely turning over some plan of action that would, in a little time, begin to reveal itself.
However, he was not prepared for such quick action as resulted; for suddenly Ashton-Kirk jumped up, glanced out at the car window, then darted to the platform and leaped off. Pendleton followed at once, and came up with him part way down an intersecting street.
"Where to now?" he asked.