-"

"You know nothing of its secret history, then?"

"Nothing."

"Do not even know whether either of these girls is engaged to be
married?"

"I do not," I returned, wincing at this direct expression of my own
thoughts.

He remained a moment silent. "Mr. Raymond," he cried at last, "have
you any idea of the disadvantages under which a detective labors? For
instance, now, you imagine I can insinuate myself into all sorts of
society, perhaps; but you are mistaken. Strange as it may appear, I have
never by any possibility of means succeeded with one class of persons at
all. I cannot pass myself off for a gentleman. Tailors and barbers are
no good; I am always found out."

He looked so dejected I could scarcely forbear smiling, notwithstanding
my secret care and anxiety.

"I have even employed a French valet, who understood dancing and
whiskers; but it was all of no avail. The first gentleman I approached
stared at me,--real gentleman, I mean, none of your American
dandies,--and I had no stare to return; I had forgotten that emergency
in my confabs with Pierre Catnille Marie Make-face."

Amused, but a little discomposed by this sudden turn in the
conversation, I looked at Mr. Gryce inquiringly.

"Now you, I dare say, have no trouble? Was born one, perhaps. Can even
ask a lady to dance without blushing, eh?"

"Well,--" I commenced.

"Just so," he replied; "now, I can't. I can enter a house, bow to the
mistress of it, let her be as elegant as she will, so long as I have
a writ of arrest in my hand, or some such professional matter upon my
mind; but when it comes to visiting in kid gloves, raising a glass of
champagne in response to a toast--and such like, I am absolutely good
for nothing." And he plunged his two hands into his hair, and looked
dolefully at the head of the cane I carried in my hand. "But it is much
the same with the whole of us. When we are in want of a gentleman to
work for us, we have to go outside of our profession."

I began to see what he was driving at; but held my peace, vaguely
conscious I was likely to prove a necessity to him, after all.

"Mr. Raymond," he now said, almost abruptly; "do you know a gentleman by
the name of Clavering residing at present at the Hoffman House?"

"Not that I am aware of."

"He is very polished in his manners; would you mind making his
acquaintance?"

I followed Mr. Gryce's example, and stared at the chimney-piece. "I
cannot answer till I understand ma