The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-06
CHAPTER NNZI.

anu Dl0OdIcSS 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.
81 am permitted" he asked gently,
'to introduce myself?"
quite unnecessary" Spencer an
swered.
The baron shrugged his shoulders.
you know me?' he asked.
The shadow of a smile fitted across
Spencer'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 his cushion.
"It saves trouble" NJ. Louis said.
81 come to you, NJ. Spencer. as a
friend"
you alarm me-" Spencer murmured.
NJ. Louis shrugged his shoulders.
"You are pleased to be witty" he
answered, 'but, indeed, | am no such
terrible person. 1t 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 a host
II thank you NJ. Louis answer
ed. II think that we will not ring
the bell. 1t would be a pity to dis
turb an interview to which l have
looked forward with SO much pleas
urc.'
"L'afaire Poynton?" Spencer sug-
geSted.
"Prcciscly."
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"
NJ. Louis answered dcprecatingly.
For one thing, I should not per-
sonally run the risk. And for another.
have | not already assured you that I
come as Il friend|
at was then" Spencer answered,
that l hogan to be frightened"
NJ. Louis smiled. lie drew q gold
cigarette case from his pocket and
calmly lit a cigarette.
"Sincc you permit. non ami" he
said. Good. ! speak better when /
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-
the proper antidote." :.
II see that you like plain speaking"
NJ. Louis continued. with Il gentle smile.
Permit me to assure you, then, that
the dose was quite as strong as we
wished. Extremes are sometimes nee
essary, hut we avoid them whenever
possible"
II wonder where it happened" Spen-'
Ger said refectively. Il have been on
my guard all the time. l have watch
ed my wine and coffee at the cafes,
and l have eaten only in the restau-
rants that | know
NJ. Louis did not seem to think the
matter important.
ut was bound to happen he said.
"If you had been like your friends
the English baronet and the last two,
who are even more amusing-perhaps
II would not have been necessary. But
you understand-you We're beginning
TO discover things"
Yes Spencer admitted, II was be-
ginning to get interested
Exactly. We We're forced to act. l
can assure you, NJ. Spencer, that it
was with reluctance. The others Of
whom | have ~spoken-Sir George Dun
combe, NJ. Pelham and his 10y detective
forgive me that smile-walk all the
time in the palm of Il hand. But
they remain unframed. If by any
chance they should blunder into the
knowledge OF things which might cause
us annoyance, why, then there would
be more inva'ids in Paris. Indeed,
monsieur, we do not seek to abuse our
power. My errand TO you today is
Of mercy"
You make me ashamed" Spencer
said, with Il sarcasm which he took no
pains to conceal, ''of my unworthy sus-
plcions. To proceed"