"Yes, sir."
Walter went through two cars, looking about him on either side, thinking it possible that the thief might have taken his seat in one of them. There was very little chance of this, however. Next he passed into the smoking-car, where, to his joy no less than his surprise, he found the man of whom he was in search playing cards with three other passengers.
He looked up carelessly as Walter approached, but did not betray the slightest confusion or sign of guilt. To let the reader into a secret, he had actually taken Walter's pocket-book, but was too cunning to keep it about him. He had taken out the money, and thrown the porte-monnaie itself from the car platform, taking an opportunity when he thought himself unobserved. As the money consisted of bills, which could not be identified as Walter's, he felt that he was in no danger of detection. He thought that he could afford to be indifferent.
"Did you get tired of waiting?" he asked, addressing our hero.
"That's pretty cool if he took the money," thought Walter.
"May I speak to you a moment?" asked Walter.
"Certainly."
"I mean alone."
"If you'll wait till I have finished the game," said the pickpocket, assuming a look of surprise. "Something private, eh?"
"Yes," said Walter, gravely.