The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-13
kCoNTISuED.l

Spencer was silent for moment !
His own servant 1t was not possible
"Wellf"
Even YOU" the baron continued
shave not yet solved the my Stery of
ratfaire Poynton. But you know more
than Sir George. Let me recommend
that you do not share your knowledge
with him "
why uot?"
"lf you do Sir George will at once
share your indisposition."
~ begin to understand" Spencer
said.
How otherwise? Send Sir George
home. You see the delicacy of our po-
sition. II Is not so much that we fear
Sir George Duncombe's interference.
hut he, again, Is followed and watched
over by our enemies, who would easily
possess themselves Of any information
which he might gain"
Spencer nodded.
1t Is good reasoning" he admitted.
Listen" NJ. Louis continued. II
speak now OH behalf of my friends.
You know whom | mean. You have
solved the mystery OF our existence.
We are omnipotent The police and
the secret service police and the gov
ernment itself are with us. We have
license throughout the city. We may
do what others may not. For us there
is no crime. l kill you now perhaps.
The police arrive. l am before the
commissioner. give him the sign-it
Is raffaire Poynton. / so free. 1t is
a certain thing"
Granted" Spencer said. Proceed
with your killing or your argument"
with the latter, IL you please" NJ.
Louis answered. 81 do not choose to
Kill. Laffaire Poynton, then. Harm
Is not meant to either of these young
people. That | assure you upon my
honor. In three weeks, or. say, a
month, we have finished. They may
return TO their homes If they will. We
have no further interest in them For
those three weeks you must remain as
YOU arc-you and. If you have influence
over him, Sir George Duncombe. The
other two fools we have no care for.
If they blunder Into knowledge-well,
they must pay. They are not our con-
Germ, yours and mine. For you bring
al offer, NJ. Spencer"
'Timeo Danaos dona ferentes" Spen-
Ger murmured.
NJ. Louis smiled.
"My gift" he answered. will not
terrfy you. You are journalist.
offer to make the fortune of your pa
per. You shall be the first to announce
an affair OF the greatest international
Importance since the war between
Russia and Japan was declared. No;
will go further than that. 1t Is the
greatest event since Waterloo"
''L'affalre Poynton strikes so deep?"
Spencer remarked.
$50 deep" the baron answered. ut
is the fools who gropc their way into
great places. SO did the boy Poynton.
You, my friend shall be the one bril-
liant exception. You shall make your
self the king of journalists, and you
shall be quoted down the century as
having achieved the greatest journal
istic feat OF modern days"
Spencer turned his drawn. haggard
face towart. his visitor. A slight flush
of color stained his check
"You fascinate me-" he said slowly.
az admit it, You have found the weak
spot in my armor Proceed! For
whom do you speakT'
NJ. Louis abandoned his somewhat
iounging attitude. He stood by Spen-
GERS side and, leaning down, whisper
ed I'm his ear. Spencer's eyes grew
bright
M. Louis" he said, "you play at a
great game"
The baron shrugged his shoulders.
"Me?" he answered. II am but a
pawn. do what l am told"
ITO return for moment to Taf-
faire Poynton," Spencer said, II am in
the humor to trust you. Have l then
your assurance that the boy and girl
do not suffer-"
Upon my own honor and the honor
of the company TO whom | belong"
he answered with some show of dig