Nick made no reply, but Chick said:
“If the fellow looked no better before than he does after shaving, I pity him.”
“He looks a lot worse,” said Patsy.
Chick laughed, and Nick remarked:
“He is a foolish man.”
The doors leading to the train shed were now thrown open, and the gatemen began to call the train.
The two toughs shook hands with Masson and passed through the gate, on their way to the train they were to take.
Masson turned to go to the exit to the street, and in doing so passed close to the three detectives, apparently without recognizing them. If he did, he made no sign of it.
He had gone but a few steps beyond this little group of detectives when he encountered a party of travelers, consisting of two ladies and two gentlemen. To this party he lifted his hat.
All of the four looked with some surprise upon him, and then one of the gentlemen broke into a laugh, saying: