Bruce.

"What can we do for you, sir?" asked Frank.

The little man hesitated and looked around. He sidled over and put his
hand on the partition.

"The--ah--next room is occupied by the--er--the French gentleman, is it
not?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"I--I presume--presume, you know--that you are able to hear
any--ah--conversation that may take place in that room, unless--er--the
conversation is--guarded."

"Not unless we take particular pains to listen," said Merry. "Even then,
it is doubtful if we can hear anything plainly."

"And we are not eavesdroppers," cut in Diamond. "We do not take pains to
listen."

"Oh, no--er--no, of course not!" exclaimed the singular stranger. "I--I
didn't insinuate such a thing! Ha! ha! ha! The idea! But you
know--sometimes--occasionally--persons hear things when they--er--do not
try to hear."

"Well, what in the world are you driving at?" asked Frank, not a little
puzzled by the man's singular manner.