Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-30

 her purse was empty; everything Of value had been taken. There was not shred of evidence against any one. Ma dame, who had seen the man upon the stairs, could only say that he was short and wore a black felt hat. The officer who took down what they had to say shrugged his shoulders as he replaced the book in his pocket. The affair would pass most certainly, he feared, into the long list of undiscoyerable crimes.
 Duncombe left his name and address and enough money for the funeral. I Then he returned to his hotel. This was the end, then, of the clew from which he had hoped so much. Spen- cers warning as to what would surely happen to those whom he might sue ceed in bribing came back into his mind with sickening insistence. In measure he was responsible for the l girls death. After all, what chance had he? He was fighting against pow CTS which, moving always in the dark 1 ness, seemed able with the most ridicu- lous ease to frustrate his every move. He re-entered the hotel in q state Of complete nervous depression. For the | first time he had forebodings on his 1 own account. What had happened. to Mile. Flossie might happen so easily to him.
 A man rose quickly from the lounge in the hotel as he entered. Duncombe 1 greeted him with little expression of wonder.
 "Spencerw he exclaimed. Were you waiting to see mel"
 The journalist nodded. He was not in evening dress, and he, too, had the appearance of man who has received something of shock.
 'Yes. The cafe is closed, suppose. Let us go down into the smokeroom. I want to talk to you"
 Duncombe led the way. They found two easy chairs and dispatched wait CT for whiskies and soda. Then Spen- cer turned to his friend.
 "Haye you met" he asked, with any successT'
 "None," Duncombe answered gloom fly.
 T have something to tell you" Spen- cer continued. "NcSSit is not good news" he added hastily Tt is more personal matter. It is of something which has happened to myself"
 Duncombe sighed.
 "Go on" he said.
 ''For twenty-two and half years" Spencer said, 'I have lived in Paris as the correspondent to various Eng lish journals. I have made many friends, and it has been considered among all my fellow journalists that l have had the ear of more influential people in politics and society here than any other writer. Today have re- signed my position" / Duncombe managed to summon up enough interest to be surprised.
 q had no idea" he said, that you were contemplating anything of the sort"
 T was not" Spencer answered grim ly. T am as much surprised myself as all my friends will be-"
 Duncombe was puzzled.
 q am afraid 1 don't quite under stand" he said. "You can't mean that your people,
 "No My people have nothing to dc with it," Spencer answered. T have had the sack, but not from them. Il is Paris which will have no more of me. live here of course on my facul' ties for obtaining information and my entree into political and social life. To day the minister of police has declin ed to receive me or at any future time my cards of entry into the chamber and half dozen places have been re voked, my name has been expunget from the visiting list of the presiden and practically of every other persor of importance. All that I may see oi Paris now is from the outside. Ant there is no appeal"
 But what is the reason of it, Spen cer? What have you done? How hav' you offended all these people?"
 Spencer hesitated.
 q don't want you to blame yourself in any way, Duncombe." he said. 'Yo' could not possibly have guessed tn sort of thing you were up against. Blu , the fact remains that my offense is Il , having sent my friends up to the Caf , Montmartre on your account and Il
 being suspected of rendering you fur ther assistance in your search fo , those two marvellous young Englisl , people"
 , You are not joking by any chance are youT' Duncombe asked gravely.
 ''The natter" Spencer replied. doe , not appear to me to lend itself to any 1, thing of the sort"
 Duncombe buried his head in hi hands for several moments. "Great heavensr' he murmured. ''Lc
 me think. I can't tell you how SOFT
 am, old chap. Can't the thing be e,
 plained? As a matter of fact, you wer discretion itself"
 ? q don't want 1t explained" Spence said. "even if it would do any goo, which 1t wouldn't l should have T
 tired in any case in less than yea and. as 1t is. I believe my success
 Is on his way over already. No' !. would you like to know why l ha'
 come here at this hour of the night ' tell you thisf"
 Duncombe nodded aGo on" he said. "Afterward T'