Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-12

 0 much for him. Pale and thin,
 with black lines under his eyes and bloodless lips, he seemed scarcely more than the wreck of his former self His visitor laid his stick and hat upon the table,. Then he bowed once more to Spencer and stood looking at him, leaning slightly against the table.
 T am permitted" he asked gently, ito introduce myself"
 Quite unnecessary" Spencer an swered
 The baron shrugged his shoulders.
 "Yeu know mel" he asked.
 The shadow of smile fitted across Epencer's face.
 By many names. NJ. Louis,'' he an swered.
 His visitor smiled. Debonair in dress and department, there seemed nothing in the air of gentle concern with which he regarded the man whom he had come to visit to inspire mistrust. Yet Spencer cursed the Ian guor which had kept him from recover ing the revolver which an hour or more before had slipped from under meath bis cushion.
 Tt saves trouble" NJ. Louis said. 'T come to you. NJ. Spencer, as friend"
 You alarm me-" Spencer murmured. N. Louis shrugged his shoulders.
 aYou are pleased to be witty" he answered, "but, indeed, am no such terrible person. It is permitted that I smoke?"
 Certainly" Spencer answered. If you care for wine or liqueurs, pray ring for my servant can assure you that it is not by my own will that you find me so indifferent host"
 T thank you" NJ. Louis answer ed. T think that we will not ring the bell. It would be pity to dis turb an interview to which have looked forward with so much pleas ure."
 "L'araire Poynton?" Spencer sug- gested.
 Precisely"
 You have perhaps come to complete the little affair in which so far you have succeeded so admirably"
 "Pray do not suggest such a thing" M Louis answered deprecatingly. "For one thing. should not per sonally run the risk. And for another, have not already assured you that I come as a friend?"
 Tt was then" Spencer answered, 'that began to be frightened"
 NJ. Louis smiled. He drew gold cigarette case from his pocket and calmly lit a cigarette.
 "Since you permit, mon ami" he said. Good! I speak better when I smoke. You are not so i'll, see. but that you retain that charming sense of humor which your readers have learned so we'll how to appreciate"
 "The dose was scarcely strong enough" Spencer answered. "or per haps by good fortune stumbled upon the proper antidote.'
 "I see that you like plain speaking" M. Louis continued. with a gentle smile Permit me to assure you, then. that the dose war quite as strong as we wished. Extremes are sometimes nee essary, brt we avoid them whenever possible"
 "I wonder where 1t happened" Spen- ser said renectively. T have been on my guard all the time. have watch cd my wine and coffee at the cafes, and I have eaten only in the restau- rants that know"
 NJ. Louis did not seem to think the matter important.
 Tt was bound to happen" he said. eff you had been Ike your friends the English baronet and the last two, who are even more amusing-perhaps ft would not have been necessary. But you understand-you were beginning to discover things"
 "Yes," Spencer admitted. ''I was be- ginning to get interested
 Exactly We were forced to act. I can assure you. M. Spencer, that 1t was with reluctance. The others of whom I have spoken-Slr George Dun combe. NJ. Pelham and his toy detective forgive me that I smile-walk all the time in the palm of our hand. But they remain uBharmed. If by any chance they should blunder into the knowledge of things which might cause US annoyance. why, then there would be more invalids In Paris Indeed, monsieur, we do not seek to abuse our -2ver. My errsnd to you today is one of mercy"
 You make me ashamed, Spencer said. with a sarcasm which he took no pains to conceal. of my unworthy sus- picions. To proceed"
 "You have sent for Sir George Dun eombe to come and see you
 Spencer was silent for a moment. His own servant. It was not possible. sweIlT"
 Even you" the baron continued. have not yet solved the mystery of raffaire Poynton. But you know more than Sir George. Let me recommend that you do not share your knowledge with him
 "why notg-
 If you do. Sir George win at once share your indisposition
 T begin to understand Spencer said
 How otherwises Send Sir George bone. You see the deIicscy of our DO sltion It is not co much that we fear Sir George Duncombe's inteTfersnee. put be. again is followed and watched