overcoat, for the night was warm, to give an impression of ease, and when
he had reached the somber facade of the Treasury Building he paused and
studied it in the glare of the electric lights, as though he were a
chance traveler taking a preliminary view of the sights of the capital. A
man still lingered behind him, drawing nearer now, at a moment when they
had the sidewalk comparatively free to themselves. The fellow was short,
but of soldierly erectness, and even in his loitering pace lifted his
feet with the quick precision of the drilled man. Armitage walked to the
corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, then turned and
retraced his steps slowly past the Treasury Building. The man who had
been following faced about and walked slowly in the opposite direction,
and Armitage, quickening his own pace, amused himself by dogging the
fellow's steps closely for twenty yards, then passed him.

When he had gained the advantage of a few feet, Armitage stopped suddenly
and spoke to the man in the casual tone he might have used in addressing
a passing acquaintance.

"My friend," he said, "there are two policemen across the street; if you
continue to follow me I shall call their attention to you."

"Pardon me--"

"You are watching me; and the thing won't do."

"Yes, I'm watching you; but--"

"But the thing won't do! If you are hired--"

"_Nein! Nein!_ You do me a wrong, sir."