Then he worked up to them gradually, using the passing people skillfully as a screen for himself.
Thus he obtained an excellent view of their faces, and it seemed to him that he recognized one of them, but it was difficult for him to fix it.
He was about to turn away, in an effort to learn who they were, how and under what circumstances they had obtained employment there, when he saw Masson again approaching.
This time he seemed to be stopping for an instant before each of the dogs, but yet steadily edging along to where the two men stood.
Patsy took a chance and moved closer, concealed only by a lady and gentleman, whose next movements might disclose him to the very persons of whom he was trying to keep out of sight.
Finally Masson reached the spot where the two men were standing.
“This dog is not a prize winner,” he said, to the one nearest him, who proved to be the one whose features were somewhat familiar to Patsy.
“No; he didn’t win anything,” replied the man.
Then, in a lower tone of voice, Masson said:
“I want to see you.”