The fellow was short, but of soldierly erectness, and even in his loitering pace lifted his feet with the quick precision of the drilled man.

Armitage walked to the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, then turned and retraced his steps slowly past the Treasury Building.

The man who had been following faced about and walked slowly in the opposite direction, and Armitage, quickening his own pace, amused himself by dogging the fellow's steps closely for twenty yards, then passed him.
When he had gained the advantage of a few feet, Armitage stopped suddenly and spoke to the man in the casual tone he might have used in addressing a passing acquaintance.
"My friend," he said, "there are two policemen across the street; if you continue to follow me I shall call their attention to you." "Pardon me--" "You are watching me; and the thing won't do." "Yes, I'm watching you; but--" "But the thing won't do! If you are hired--" "_Nein! Nein!_ You do me a wrong, sir." "Then if you are not hired you are your own master, and you serve yourself ill when you take the trouble to follow me.

Now I'm going to finish my walk, and I beg you to keep out of my way.

This is not a place where liberties may be infringed with impunity.