With a jaunty air and a self-satisfied smile, he followed Mrs. Hamilton into her "private office," as she sometimes called it.
"Shut the door, Conrad," she said.
He did so.
"I have heard news of the opera glass," she commenced.
"Mother gave me a hint of that," said Conrad.
"It was stolen and pawned at Simpson's on the Bowery."
"It's a great shame!" said Conrad, thinking that a safe comment to make.
"Yes, it was a shame and a disgrace to the one who took it."
"I didn't think Ben would do such a thing," continued Conrad, growing bolder.
"Nor I," said Mrs. Hamilton.