"You are sure that yours was not a new brown bag?"
"Sure! Of course I'm sure! It was black; and, as for being new--well, it was seven or eight years old at least."
"Would you mind my having a look at it?"
"What do you want to have a look at it for?"
"I should esteem it a favour if you would permit me."
"Why should I?"
Again the two men's glances met. The German-American spoke.
"Where are you stopping, Mr. Paxton, eh?"
Wheeling round, Mr. Paxton treated the inquirer to anything but an enlightening answer.
"What has that to do with you? Although a perfect stranger to me--and one to whom I would rather remain a stranger--you appear to take a degree of interest in my affairs which I can only characterize as--impertinent."