Part 7 (1/2)
”Not positively.”
”I told you I had a great surprise for you.”
”Yes.”
”Well, I have.”
”I like to be surprised.”
”No doubt, but you can't guess what I've got for you.”
”Oh, yes, I can.”
”You can?”
”Yes.”
There had come to our hero a most strange, weird and startling suggestion.
”You can guess?”
”Yes.”
”Then you must be a Yankee.”
”No, I am not.”
”And you can guess?”
”Yes.”
”Will you bet on it?”
”Yes, and give odds.”
”You will?”
”I will.”
”We won't bet, but you would lose; tell me the surprise.”
As stated, there had come a very startling suggestion to the detective's mind. He looked very wise, and said:
”If I were to antic.i.p.ate you, then I'd spoil the surprise.”
”No, you would not; but it would be me who would receive the surprise.”
”Very well, I'll tell you, Mr. Douglas, you have the clothes the old man wore on the day he was killed.”