when I favor customers peculiarly-" I now was sure she emphasized the word-"I must know with
whom I am dealing. You think me a strange shopkeeper, do you not?"
She laughed, and I marveled at the freshness, the youthfulness, the curious tingling sweetness of that
laughter.
It was by a distinct effort that I brought myself back to reality, put myself again on guard. I drew a card
from my case. I did not wish her to recognize me, as she would have had I given her my own card. Nor
did I desire to direct her attention to anyone she could harm. I had, therefore, prepared myself by
carrying the card of a doctor friend long dead. She glanced at it.
"Ah," she said. "You are a professional-a physician. Well, now that we know each other, come with me
and I will show you of my best."