"'Twas careless of me." "By no means," said Robert.

"The wind blows when it pleases, and you were taken by surprise." The Englishman smiled, showing very white and even teeth.
"I haven't been very long in New York," he said, "but I find it a polite and vastly interesting town.

My name is Grosvenor, Alfred Grosvenor, and I'm a second lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Brandon, that arrived but recently from England." Master Hardy looked up and passed an investigating eye over the young Englishman.
"You're related to one of the ducal families of England," he said, "but your own immediate branch of it has no overplus of wealth.

Still, your blood is reckoned highly noble in England, and you have an excellent standing in your regiment, both as an officer and a man." Young Grosvenor's ruddy face became ruddier.
"How do you happen to know so much about me ?" he asked.

But there was no offense in his tone.
Hardy smiled, and Pillsbury, pursing his thin lips, measured Grosvenor with his eyes.
"I make it my business," replied Hardy, "to discover who the people are who come to New York.