Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-29

young COlupuuioil, hlic. rloSsiC hciS- Now, 1 have at least half dozen friends in the cafe below whom could summon here by touching that bell, and the Identification of those notes would be a perfectly simple matter. Shall I do 1t, or will you earn another roll by giving me the information l seekT
 Madame leaned forward and whis- pered in the mans ear. NJ. Louis nod | ded.
 "Tell him." Mile. Flossie murmured tremulously. Monsieur will not break faith with us. He will not let 1t be known from whence he gained the knowledge"
 Agreed" the young Englishman de- clared. GO on"
 Madame held up her hand.
 "I," she said. twill tell monsieur what we know"
 She rose to her feet and leaned over the table. The blue black sequins on her dress glittered and shone in the dull light Her figure was superb, her neck and bosom a flawless white. The Englishman, however, was unmoved. His keen, gray eyes were fixed upon her, but the revolver remained in his right hand. From downstairs they could hear the music of violins, the rattle of glasses, the hum of voices and laughter. Madame frowned slightly as she marked the young Englishman's alertness She was used to victims, and his imperturbability annoyed her.
 "I trust" she said, that you will re- member, monsieur, that am breaking n pledged word. If monsieur the di rector here knew that was telling you of Mile Poynton there would be much trouble for all of us."
 Duncombe nodded.
 GO on," he said.
 '.Mademoiselle came here first about month or perhaps six weeks ago." she said From that time on she was a regular visitor. She came alone. She mystery. She was very handsomely dressed-for an English girl; quite chic! She spent money, and M. Alfred. the director, kept always table for her As time went on we began to feel the mystery. We asked ourselves for what purpose does she come here? For what, indeed!
 "One night NJ. Alfred, who was al- ways besieged with questionS about her. took too much wine. I have seen that happen with him but once-since that time never. He told us about mademoiselle She made some in- Quires, and M Alfred was able to tell her his whereabouts. After that he scarcely expected to see her again, but the next night she was here also.
 "Then NJ. Alfred learned more. Ma demoiselle was in a small way an art ist, and she had conceived the idea of painting picture of the cafe-an early morning picture of effects, monsieur understands. There was to be the morning sunlight streaming across the supper tables, the faces of all of us aged and haggard NJ. Louis here without doubt very child of the dew il! Oh, a very moral picture, monsieur! It was to convert us all. NJ. Alfred declared that he would arrange to have it here on exhibition, and we should all mend our ways. Monsieur knew perhaps that the young lady was an artistT"
 The question was flashed suddenly upon him as though the intention was to take him by surprise. Duncombe, however, remained unmoved.
 "I am here, madame, to ask, not to answer, questions" he said. twill you kindly proceed? I am greatly in terested"
 Madame put her hand to her throat for moment as though to loosen her necklace She had not the appearance of being greatly in love with her ques- tioner
 There came a night" she continued, when mademoiselle broke through her rule. A man came in and sat at her table. His name was the Vlcomte D'Aubarde and he was known to most of us, though to the young lady be appeared to be a stranger They talked earnestly for an hour or more. When she left, he accompanied her"
 The Engllshman had grown paler. Madame saw it and smiled. Her lover perhaps! It was good to make him suffer.
 ,"Flossie here" she continued, twas outside and saw them depart. They drove of together in the vicomte's coupe. They were apparently on the best of terms. Since then we have not seen her again or the vicomte. Mon sieur knows now as much as we know"
 And how long ago is thatT' Dun- combe asked quietly.
 A week tonight" madame replied.
 DuncOmbe laid down q roll of notes upon the table.
 "I wish" he said. ito prove to you that I am in earnest. am therefore going to pay you the amount I prom ised, although I am perfectly we'll aware that the story of madame is falser'
 Monsieur
 "As remarked" he repeated. false. Now listen to me. want to tempt one of you. I don't care which. to break through this thieves compact of yours. have paid q thousand francs for lies. I will pay 10,OOO francs for truth! Ten thousand francs for the present whereabouts of Mile. Phyllis Poyntonr
 NIIln EInssIe Ic.nI- nd Irrn nf him nnlck