It also left the red-haired youth at his post before the window.

Yet on arriving at the Bruxtelle some twenty minutes later Charlie found this same queer personage occupying a hotel chair in the lobby and apparently reading a newspaper with serious attention.
He hesitated a moment, then quietly walked over to a vacant chair beside the red-haired one and sat down.

The youth turned the paper, glanced casually at his neighbor, and continued reading.
"A detective, I believe," said Mershone, in a low, matter of fact tone.
"Who?
me ?" asked Fogerty, lowering the paper.
"Yes.

Your age deceived me for a time.

I imagined you were a newsboy or a sporting kid from the country; but now I observe you are older than you appear.