“Between gentlemen—so small a matter!”
“To be sure—the merest trifle,” laughed Armitage with entire good humor.
“And where a gentleman has the predatory habits of a burglar and housebreaker—”
“Then lesser affairs, such as picking up trinkets—”
“Come naturally—quite so!” and Chauvenet twisted his mustache with an air of immense satisfaction.
“But the genial art of assassination—there’s a business that requires a calculating hand, my dear Monsieur Chauvenet!”
Chauvenet’s hand went again to his lip.
“To be sure!” he ejaculated with zest.
“But alone—alone one can do little. For larger operations one requires—I should say—courageous associates. Now in my affairs—would you believe me?—I am obliged to manage quite alone.”
“How melancholy!” exclaimed Chauvenet.