Sabin's keen attention.
"Your suggestions," the detective said, "are making this case a very
interesting one. I have always understood, however, that reprisals
of this extreme nature are seldom resorted to in this country.
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.
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