After the experience of
this morning, I can struggle against that sad conclusion no
longer. I give up the sex--excepting Mrs. Yatman, I give up the
sex.
The man named "Jack" offered the woman his arm. Mr. Jay placed
himself on the other side of her. The three then walked away
slowly among the trees. I followed them at a respectful distance.
My two subordinates, at a respectful distance, also, followed me.
It was, I deeply regret to say, impossible to get near enough to
them to overhear their conversation without running too great a
risk of being discovered. I could only infer from their gestures
and actions that they were all three talking with extraordinary
earnestness on some subject which deeply interested them. After
having been engaged in this way a full quarter of an hour, they
suddenly turned round to retrace their steps. My presence of mind
did not forsake me in this emergency. I signed to the two
subordinates to walk on carelessly and pass them, while I myself
slipped dexterously behind a tree. As they came by me, I heard
"Jack" address these words to Mr. Jay:
"Let us say half-past ten to-morrow morning. And mind you come in
a cab. We had better not risk taking one in this neighborhood."
Mr. Jay made some brief reply which I could not overhear.
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