"To the detection of crime. In other words, I am a private detective, on, I think I may say, a considerable scale."
"The deuce you are! That is something new."
"And you--may I ask what you are doing?"
I stared at Alexander. He certainly was coming on.
"I'm talking to you."
"I trust that the occupation gives you satisfaction. I regret that I am compelled to cut it short. My time is valuable. In fact, at this moment I have a pressing appointment with a gentleman well known in City circles."
"A bailiff or a policeman, Alexander? They are both of them well known in City circles."
"Probably, my dear Reginald, they are better known to you than they are to me. Good-day."
"Good-day!"
He raised his hat about three feet; I raised mine about three inches. We parted, I do believe, for the first time in our lives, on the most affable of terms.