"I saw you talking with Mr. Jones this evening—A. Jones, you know, who says he came from Sangoa."
"Didn't he?" demanded the old gentleman.
The stranger smiled.
"Perhaps; once on a time; allowing such a place exists. But his last journey was here from Austria."
"Indeed!"
Mr. Merrick and Patsy were both staring at the man incredulously.
"I am quite sure of that statement, sir; but I cannot prove it, as yet."
"Ah! I thought not."
Patsy had just told her uncle how she had detected this man stealthily watching Jones, and how he had followed the boy when he retired to his room. The present interview had, they both knew, something to do with this singular action. Therefore Mr. Merrick restrained his indignation at the stranger's pointed questioning. He realized quite well that the man had come to their corner determined to catechise them and gain what information he could. Patsy realized this, too. So, being forewarned, they hoped to learn his object without granting him the satisfaction of "pumping" them.
"I suppose you are friends of this Mr. A. Jones," was his next remark.