The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-29

teemed acquaintance. Following a brief chat, he proposed an adjourn ment to neighboring saloon bar, and there, over cocktails, he conversed with MT. Soames as one crook with another.
 Soames was charmed, fascinated, yet vaguely mortified, for this man smiling ly threw off the cloak of hypocrisy from his companions shoulders and pretended, with the skill of his race, equally to nudify his own villainy.
 My dear MT. Soames," he said, speaking almost perfect English, but with the singsong intonation of the Greek and giving all his syllables an equal value, "you are the man am looking for, and can make your for tune."
 This was entirely in accordance with MT. Soames' own views, and he nod ded respectfully.
 .'I know" continued Gianapolis, prof fering an excellent Egyptian cigarette, "that you were cramped in your last situation-that you were misunder- stood"
 Soames, cigarette in hand, suppress. ed start and wondered if he were turning pale. He selected match with nervous care.
 '"The little matter of the silver spoons" continued Gianapolis, smil. ing fraternally, twas perhaps an error of judgment, although"-patting the startled Soames upon the shoulder "they were legitimate perquisite; ] am not blaming you. But 1t takes SC long to accumulate really useful bal ance in that petty way. Now''-he glanced cautiously about him-T car offer you a post under conditions which will place you above the consideration of silver spoonsw
 Soames, hastily finishing his cocktail sought for words, but Gianapolis, fin. ishing his own, blandly ordered two more and, tapping Soames upon the knee, continued:
 '"Then that matter of the petty cash and those trifing irregularities in the wine bilL you remember-when you were with Colonel Hewett in Nicer'
 Soames gripped the counter hard staring at the newly arrived cocktail as though 1t were hypnotizing him.
 "These little matters," added Gian- apolis, appreciatively slipping from his own glass, which would weigh heav. fly against your other references in the event of their being mentioned to any prospective employer
 Soames knew beyond doubt that his face was very pale indeed.
 "These little matters, then" pursued Gianapolis, "an go to prove to me that you are man of enterprise and spirit that you are the very man require Now I can offer you a. port in the es. tabhshment of Henry LercIx, the nov. elist. The serivce will be easy. You will be required to attend to callers and to wait at table upon special occa sions. There will be no valetiag, and you will have undisputed charge of the pantry and wine cellar. In short, yor will enjoy unusual liberty. The salary you would say? It will be the same as that which you received from MT. Ma pleson."
 Soames raised his head drearily. He felt himself in the tolls; he felt him self ruined man.
 Tt isn't a salary" he began which,
 My dear MT. Soames," said Gianapo lis, tapping him confidentially upon tn, knee again-"my dear Soames, it ism the salary, admit, which you enjoyed while in the services of Colonel Hewet
 in similar capacity. But this is 10 a large ablishment, and the dutie'
 are light. Furthermore, there will b, extras" "Extras?'
 MT. Soames' eye frightened, and un | der the benignant influence of the cock l tails his courage began to return. T do not refer," smiled MT. Gianapo l lis, ito perquisites. The extras vii be monetary-another f2 per week" 1.-TWO. .pounds!"
 Bringing your salary up to nic | round figure. The additional amour will be paid to you from ano+hA source You will receive the latter payment quarterly"
 "From-from'-
 From me-" said MT. Gianapolis smiling radiantly. "Now, know yo1
 are going to accept. That is under
 stood between us. I will give you thu
 address-Palace mansions, Westmin
 ster-at which you must apply, and
 will tell you what little services vii
 be re fired from you in return for thi
 additional emolument''
 l Mir. Soames hurriedly finished hi ] second cocktail. MT. Gianapolis, il l true sporting fashion, kept pace witt | him and repeated the order. i "You will take charge of the mail! | he whispered softly, one irregular ey | following the movements of the bal
 maid and the other fixed almost fierce | ly upon the face of Soames. At eel | tain times-of which you will be not
 fled in advance-Mrs. Leroux will pa
 visits to Paris. At such times all lei | ters addressed to her or readdresse
 to her will not be posted. You wi ring me up when such letters com | into your possession--they must a
 come into your possessionr-and vi