He stood by impatiently while the game went on. He was anxious to find out as soon as possible what had become of his money, and what was the chance of recovering it.
At length the game was finished, and a new one was about to be commenced, when Walter tapped his late companion on the shoulder.
"Oh, you wanted to speak to me, did you?" he said indifferently. "Can't you wait till we have finished this game?"
"No," said Walter, resolutely, "I can't wait. It is a matter of great importance."
"Then, gentlemen, I must beg to be excused for five minutes," said the pickpocket, shrugging his shoulders, as if to express good-natured annoyance. "Now, my young friend, I am at your service."
Walter proceeded to the other end of the car, which chanced to be unoccupied. Now that the moment had come, he hardly knew how to introduce the subject. Suppose that the person he addressed were innocent, it would be rather an awkward matter to charge him with the theft.
"Did you see anything of my pocket-book?" he said, at length.
"Your pocket-book?" returned the pickpocket, arching his brows. "Why, have you lost it?"
"Yes."
"When did you discover its loss?"