"Can I do anything for you, sir ?" For Mr.Le Drieux had stealthily advanced to the alcove and was glaring at the display of pearls and making notes in a small book.
He bowed, without apparent resentment, as he answered Mr.Merrick: "Thank you, sir; you have already served me admirably.

Pardon my intrusion." Then he closed the book, slipped it into his pocket and with another low bow walked away.
"What rank impertinence!" cried Arthur, staring after him.

"Some newspaper reporter, I suppose.

Do you know him, Uncle John ?" "He forced an introduction, a few evenings ago.

It is a pearl merchant from New York, named Le Drieux, so I suppose his curiosity is but natural." "Shall we keep our pearls, Uncle ?" asked Beth.
"I shall keep mine," replied the little man, who never wore any ornament of jewelry.