Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-27

l "Duncombe," he said, you're going to think me poor sort of friend, but the truth Is best. You must not count upon me aay more. I cannot lift even my little finger to help you. can only give you advice if you want it."
 And that2"
 "Go back to England tomorrow. Chuck it altogether. You are up against too big combination. You can do no one any good. You are q great deal more likely to come to harm yourself"
 Duncombe was quite quiet for sev- eral moments. When he spoke again, his manner had new stiffness.
 You have surprised me good deal, I must confess, Spencer" he said. "We will abandon the subject"
 Spencer shrugged his shoulders. T know how you're feeling, old chap" he said. "I can't help 1t. You understand my position here. I write a daily letter for the best paying and most generous newspaper in the world, and it is absolutely necessary that I keep hand in glove with the people in high places here. My position abso- lutely demands it, and my duty to my chief necessitates my putting all per sonal feeling on one side in case like this when conflict arises"
 But where" Duncombe asked, 'does the conflict arise?"
 Here" Spencer answered. 'I re ceived note this morning from great parsonage in this country to whom am under more obligations than any other breathing man, requesting me to refrain from making any further in- quiries or assisting any one else to make them in this matter. can as- sure you that was thunderstruck, but the note is in my pocket at the present moment"
 "Does it mention them by nameT
 "The exact words are," Spencer an- swered. respecting the reported dis appearance of the young Englishman, Guy Poynton, and his sister, This will just show you how much you have to hope for from the police, for the per son whose signature is at the foot of that note could command the implicit obedience of the whole system"
 Duncombe's cheeks were a little flushed. He was British to the back bone, and his obstinacy was being stirred.
 "The more reason" he said quietly, ESQ far as can see, that I should con- tinue my independent efforts with such help as I can secure. This girl and boy are fellow country people, and haven't any intention of leaving them in the clutches of any brutal gang of Frenchmen into whose hands they may have got. I shall go on doAg what I can, Spencer"
 The journalist shrugged his shoul- ders.
 T can't help sympathizing with you, Duncombe," he said, but keep req sonable. You know your Paris well enough to understand that you haven't a thousand to one chance. Besides, Frenchmen are not brutal. If the boy got into a scrape, 1t was probably his own fault"
 "And the girl? What of her? Am to leave her to the tender mercies of whatever particular crew of black guards may have got her into their oowerT -s..ss.,
 You are needlessly melodramatic," Spencer answered. q will admit, of course, that her position may be an unfortunate one, but the parsonage whom 1 have the honor to call my friend does not often protect black guards. Be reasonable, Duncombe! These young people are not relatives of yours, are they? P
 "No." erFau .- -.,f .gasze
 "Nor very old friends-the young lady, for instanceT
 Duncombe looked up, and his face was set in grim and dogged lines. He felt like a man who was mailing his colors to the mast.
 "The young lady," he said. ''is, pray heaven, my future wifev'
 Spencer was honestly amazed and a little shocked. s-.-55
 Forgive me, Duncombe," he said. "I had no idea, though perhaps ought to have guessed"
 They went on with their luncheon in silence for some time except for few general remarks. But after the coffee had been brought and the cigarettes were alight Spencer leaned once more across the table.
 Tell me, Duncombe, what you mean to do."
 'I shall go to the Cafe Montmartre myself tonight. At such place there must be hangers-on and parasites who see something of the game. I shall try to come into touch with them. 1 am rich enough to outbid the others who exact their silence"
 "You must be rich enough to buy their lives then" Spencer answered gravely, "for if you do succeed In tempting any one to betray the inner of that place on which the seal of silence has been put you will hear of them in the morgue before a fortnight has passed" "They must take their risk" Dun- combe said coldly. T am going to stuff my pockets with money tonight and I shall bid high. I shall leave word at the hotel where I am going. If anything happens to me there-well. l don't think the Cafe Montmartre will nourish afterward" .l
 (To Be Continued).