The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-26

l ing against the counter with his back toward her. his arms folded and a
 most impatient frown on his face.
 Spantz's black eyes shot from one to the other. What do you want" he
 demanded sharply. "The broadsword. And, say, MT. l Spantz, you might assume a different 1 tone in addressing me. Pm a cus- toner, not a beggar." 1 The girl left the window and walked l slowly to the rear of the shop, passing l through the narrow door, without so much as a glance at King or the old l man. Spantz was silent until she was 1 gone.
 You want the broadsword, eh?" he
 asked. moderating his tone considera- 1 bly,. "It's rare old"- "Ill give you a hundred dollars-not another cent,' interrupted King, not | yet over his resentment. There fol- | lowed a long and irritating argument, at the conclusion of which MT. King 1 became the possessor of the weapon at l his own price. "Ill come in again." he said indiffer-
 ently.
 'But you are leaving tomorrow, sir" 'Ive changed my mind." "Then you have discovered some l thing in Eceiweiss to attract you?" | grinned the old armorer. "I dare say you're right. Clean that sword up a bit for me, and I'll drop 1 in tomorrow and get it. Here's 60
 gavvos to bind the bargain-the rest
 on delivery. Good day, MT. Spantz." Good day, Mir. King How do you happen to know my l name?'
 Spant2 put his hand over his heart and delivered himself of a most i'm preSsive EcW. "Wh hen so distinguished
 visitor colrcs to cur little city, he
 said, i've lose no time ill discovering
 his name. It is a part of our trade, sir, believe me- "I'm not so sure that I do believe you" said Truxton King to himself as he sauntered up the street toward the hotel.
 Mir. Hobbs, from Cooks, was at his
 elbow, his eyes glistening with eager ness.
 T say, old Dangloss is waiting for
 you at the Regengetz, sir. Wots upf
 Wot you be,Ei up to, sir?"
 up to-up to, .Hobbs?" My word, sir, you must have beeD or he wouldn't be there to see you"
 ''Who is Dangloss?" Minister of police. Haven't I told you? He's a keen one, too, take my
 word for it. l heard him ask for you He lost no time in getting to the ho tel A well remembered, fierce look. ing little man in a white linen suit was waiting for him on the great piazza. Baron Jasto Dangioss was polite man, but not to the point of procras- tination He advanced to meet the puzzled American, smiling amiably and swirling his imposing mustache with neatly gloved fingers. "1 have called. MT. King, to have little chat with you," he said abrupt. ly. He enjoyed the look of surprise on the young mans face. Wont you join me at this table? A julep will not be bad, ehY' King sat down op- posite to him at one of the piazza ta- bles in the shade of the great trailing vines. A waiter took the order and departed.
 Now, to come to the point began the baron. You expected to leave to- morrow. Why are you staying over?"
 Baron, leave that to your own dis tinguished powers of deduction said Truxton gently. He took long pull at the straw, watching the others face as he did so. The baron smiled. You have found the young lady in the gunshop to be very attractive" ob- served the baron. Where have you known her before?'
 T beg pardon?"
 ''It is not unusual for young man in search of adventure to follow the lady of his choice from place to place. She came but recently, recall"
 ''You think l knew her before and followed her to EdelweissW
 T am not quite sure whether you have been in Warsaw lately. There is gap in your movements that can't account for"
 King became serious at once. He saw that it was best to be frank with this keen old man.
 Baron Dangloss, I don't know just what you are driving at, but I'll set you straight. so far as I'm concerned. I never saw that girl until the day be- fore yesterday. I never spoke to her until today"
 "She smiled on you quite familiar ly from her window easement yester- day" said Dansloss coolly.
 "She laughed at me- to be perfectly candid. But what's all this about?"
 Dangloss leaned forward and smiled suurly.
 "Take my advice-do not play with fire" he sa'' nni1matically.