Reaching the porch again, Klein met Mr. Lydecker and another man. One glance into the latter’s face started a flood of memories.
Mr. Lydecker greeted Klein, then turned to his companion.
“Permit me. Mr. Klein, Mr. Jarge.”
Their hands barely touched. “I believe I have had the honor of meeting Mr. Klein before,” Jarge said quietly, his black eyes searching Klein’s face.
“Yes,” answered Klein, just as quietly; “I believe we have met. It was on the Fall River boat, about a month ago, was it not?”
“Bless my soul!” exclaimed Mr. Lydecker. “Is that really so? What a coincidence, to be sure! I happened to meet Mr. Jarge on the Fall River boat, and it couldn’t have been more than a month ago.”
“It was the same night,” Klein said. “I remember seeing you on board, Mr. Lydecker.”
Klein instantly recalled the night in the smoking room, when he had watched Mr. Jarge following Mr. Klein and his daughter.
“Since that night,” Mr. Lydecker was saying, “I have always had a warm place in my heart for Mr. Jarge. He was the ship detective, you know, and bless my soul if he didn’t return my daughter’s jewels before we even knew they had been stolen. Quite remarkable, don’t you think so, Mr. Klein?”
“Very remarkable,” answered Klein dryly.