"Just so," answered Mr. Mitchel.
The conversation now drifted to other things, and shortly after, the dinner being over, the three men separated.
As Mr. Barnes was about to leave the main dining-room, one of the servants handed him a note. Supposing it to be from Mr. Randolph, he opened it at once, and was surprised and chagrined to read:
"When Mr. Barnes next plays the eavesdropper he should be careful to observe whether a mirror reflects both sides of a portière which he might suppose would conceal him.
"Mitchel."
"The devil take it," muttered Mr. Barnes. "I wonder at what point he discovered my presence. Was that last part, about his having warned all the dealers, thrown in gratuitously for my benefit, and to lead me to suppose that some one else stole the stone? If so, why does he now let me know that he saw me?"