He looked up at me with well simulated surprise.
"You are soon back, Mr.Ducaine," he remarked calmly.

"Did you forget something ?" "I forgot," I answered, struggling to recover my breath, "to lock up my desk." "An admirable precaution," he admitted, watching as I gathered my papers together, "especially if one has valuables.

It is an exposed spot this, and very lonely." "I am curious," I said, leaning against the table and facing him, "I am curious to know which of my poor possessions can possibly be of interest or value to the Prince of Malors." The calm hauteur of his answering stare was excellently done.

I had a glimpse now of the aristocrat.
"You speak in enigmas, young man," he said.

"Kindly be more explicit." "My language can scarcely be more enigmatic than your actions," I answered.