"When they have found the thieves what will they do with
them?" he asked.

"Send them to prison," I answered, "where thieves are kept
apart from the rest of humanity."

"And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not
have robbed the bank if they had been in prison."

"True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who
are not suspected. They look like honest men and are highly
successful in concealing their dishonesty."

"I should think," he said thoughtfully, "that one would know
a thief by his face."

"Remember," said I, "that all men are not like you. Most of
them are easily deceived."

"Why, then, Kendric!" he exclaimed joyfully, "I can do some
good with this power of mine."

This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands
in close relation to important events which will shortly
claim our attention. The subject which it introduces was not
soon abandoned. We talked about it on our way to the
Paddingtons' that evening, where we were cordially received
by our host, and introduced to a large company of ladies and
gentlemen.