Besides, the man's position seems scarcely to indicate sufficient importance--perhaps--" "Well ?" Mr.Sabin interjected.
"I notice that Duson was found in your sitting-room.

It occurs to me as a possibility that he may have met with a fate intended for some one else--for yourself, for instance, sir!" "But I," Mr.Sabin said smoothly, "am a member of no secret society, nor am I conscious of having enemies sufficiently venomous to desire my life." The detective sat for a moment with immovable face.
"We, all of us, know our friends, sir," he said.

"There are few of us properly acquainted with our enemies." Mr.Sabin lit a cigarette.

His fingers were quite steady, but this man was making him think.
"You do not seriously believe," he asked, "that Duson met with a death which was intended for me ?" "I am afraid," the detective said thoughtfully, "that I know no more about it than you do." "I see," Mr.Sabin said, "that I am no stranger to you." "You are very far from being that, sir," the man answered.

"A few years ago I was working for the Government--and you were not often out of my sight." Mr.Sabin smiled.
"It was perhaps judicious," he remarked, "though I am afraid it proved of very little profit to you.