"I don't know what you mean."
"I think you do. You asked me a moment ago how I knew your name. As I said, I did not know it, though I suspected it. Shall I tell you why?"
"Certainly, if you wish."
"Perhaps I am a fool to show you your first blunder in this game, since you are evidently enlisted against me; but as I sent my friend off alone, purposely for the chance of doing so, I cannot resist the temptation."
"Stop a moment, Mr. Mitchel. I am not such a fool as you take me to be. I know what you are going to say."
"Ah, indeed! that is clever."
"You are about to tell me that I made an ass of myself when I spoke in the coach upon your refusing to be searched."
"Well, I should not have put it quite so harshly, but the fact is this: When you deliberately followed Randolph into the toilet-room, I became suspicious, being, as I was, at your heels. When the conductor spoke to me, I refused purposely, to watch the effect upon you, with the result, as you now see, that I had my suspicion confirmed. I knew that you were a detective, and, that point gained, there was no further reason for refusing the conductor."
"As I said, I acted like an ass. But I did not need this warning. It will not occur again, I assure you."
"Of course I see now that you overheard our conversation last night, and such being the case you naturally suspected me of this robbery. But I am wondering, if you did overhear our talk, why you did not watch me all night." To this Mr. Barnes made no reply. "I have one favor to ask."