Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-13

man, q somewhat somber looking per son in black beard and gold trimmed eyeglasses, the other as unmistakably an Englishman of the lower middle class, His broad shoulders and some what stiff bearing seemed to suggest some sort of drill. Looking them over. Duncombe found himself instincdve- ly wondering whether the personal strength of these two, which was ob- vious, might become a factor in the coming interview.
 The baron naturally was spokesman. He bowed very gravely to Duncombe, and did not offer his hand.
 T must apologize, Sir George" he said, flor disturbing you at such an inopportune hour. Our business, how ever, made it necessary for us to reach you with as little delay as possible"
 Perhaps you will be good enough to explain" Duncombe answered, what that business is.''
 The baron raised his hands with a little protesting gesture.
 T regret to tell you, Sir George" he announced, that it is of most un- pleasant nature I could wish that its execution had fallen into other hands. My companions are NJ. Riddle of the French detective service, and our other friend here, whom do not know, is a constable from the Norwich police court My own connections with the police service of my country you have already, without doubt. surmised."
 ''Go on," Duncombe said.
 T regret to say" NJ Louis continued. "that my friends here are in charge of . warrant for your arrest. You will find them possessed of all the legal documents, French and English. We shall have to ask you to come to Nor wich with us tonight"
 "Arrestw Duncombe repeated. "On what charger"
 An extremely serious one," the bar on answered gravely. The charge of murderr'
 Duncombe stared at him in amaze ment.
 "Murderw he repeated. What rub bish.'
 ''The murder of Mile de Mermillion in her lodging on the night of the 7th of June last" the baron said gravely. Please do not make any remarks be- fore these men. The evidence against you is already sufficiently strong"
 Duncombe laughed derisively.
 What sort of puppet show is thisY' he exclaimed. You know as we'll as any man living how that poor girl came to her end. This is cover for something else, of course. What do you want of me? Let's get at it with out wasting time"
 What we want of you is, am afraid, only too simple" the baron an- swered, struggling his shoulders We must ask you to accompany us at once to Norwich castle. You will have to appear before the magistrates in the morning. when they will sign the ex- tradition warrant. Our friend here, M Riddle, will then take charge of you. Perhaps you would like to. look through the documents. You will find them all in perfect order
 Duncombe mechanically glanced through the French and English papers which were spread out before him. They had certainly a most uncomforta- ble appearance of being genuine. He began to feel little bewildered.
 You mean to say that you have come here to arrest me on this charge? That you want me to go away with you tonight" he asked.
 Tt is not a matter of wanting you to come" the baron answered coldly. 'It is matter of necessity"
 Duncombe moved toward the fire place.
 "Will you allow me the privilege of Q few moments conversation with you in privatef' he said 10 the baron. "Your companions will perhaps excuse you for a moment"
 The baron followed without remark. They stood facing one another upon the hearth rug Duneombe leaned one elbow upon the mantelpiece and turn ed toward his companion.
 Look here.= he said. those papers seem genuine enough. and if you insist upon 1t I will go with you to Norwich shall take care not to let you out of my sight. and If when we get there I find that 1t Is any part of one of your eonfounded oonspIracies you will find that the penalties for this sort of thing in England are pretty severe. How ever. no doubt you are well aware of that The question is this: What do you really want from meT'
 M Louis. who had lit a cigarette. withdrew it from his mouth and ex- amined the lighted end for a moment in silence.
 The documents" he said, "are gen uine. You are arraigned in perfectly legal fashion. Upon the afidavits there the magistrates must grant the extra dition warrant without hesitation We have nothing to fear in that direction- The evidence isremarkahly convincing
 -Police coneocted evidence" Dun combe remarked. would necessarily be SO. I admit that you hold a strong card against me. I don't believe. how ever. that you have gone to an this trouble without some ulterior motive. What is it7 What csn I offer you in exchange for these documentsT
 M- Louis smiled
 ~You are a man of common sense. Sir George be said T will speak to yoa without reserve It Is possible that ron might be able to o1er the government department of my coun- f-- q. --s.srr, ,-, .<~-~s..s5 .- s-,.a--~-