"
Caranby did not reply, but looked steadily at the two men who
were walking slowly up the room. Hale was slender, tall, and
dark in color, with a nose like the beak of an eagle. He was
perfectly dressed and had even an elegant appearance. His age
might have been forty, but in the artificial light he looked
even younger. Clancy, on the other hand, wore his clothes
with the air of a man unaccustomed to evening dress. He was
light in color, with weak blue eyes and a foolish expression
about his slack mouth. Jennings wondered why a man like Hale
should connect himself with such a creature. The men nodded
to Senora Gredos, who took little notice of them, and then
repaired to the buffet. Owing to the position of the
detective and Caranby, the new arrivals did not see them. Nor
for the present was the detective anxious to attract their
notice. Indeed, he would have stolen away unperceived, but
that he wished to question Hale as to the whereabouts of Mrs.
Herne.
"It is a long time since I have seen you," said Caranby,
removing his eyes from the newcomers, and addressing the
detective; "you were not an--er--an official when we last
met."
"It is three years ago," said Jennings; "no. I had money
then, but circumstances over which I had no control soon
reduced me to the necessity of earning my living. As all
professions were crowded, I thought I would turn my talents of
observation and deduction to this business.
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