more of
me. I live here, of course, on my faculties for obtaining information,
and my _entree_ into political and social life. To-day the Minister of
Police has declined to receive me, or at any future time--my cards of
entry into the chamber and half a dozen places have been revoked, my
name has been expunged from the visiting list of the President, and
practically of every other person of importance. All that I may see of
Paris now is from the outside. And there is no appeal!"

"But what is the reason of it, Spencer? What have you done? How have you
offended all these people?"

Spencer hesitated.

"I don't want you to blame yourself in any way, Duncombe," he said. "You
could not possibly have guessed the sort of thing you were up against.
But the fact remains that my offence is in having sent my friends to the
Cafe Montmartre on your account, and in being suspected of rendering you
further assistance in your search for those two marvellous young English
people!"

"You are not joking by any chance, are you?" Duncombe asked gravely.

"The matter," Spencer replied, "does not appear to me to lend itself to
anything of the sort."

Duncombe buried his head in his hands for several moments.

"Great Heavens!" he murmured. "Let me think! I can't tell you how sorry
I am, old chap. Can't the thing be explained? As a matter of fact, you
were discretion itself."

"I don't want it explained," Spencer said, "even if it would do any
good--which it wouldn't! I should have retired in any case in less than
a year, and, as it is, I believe my successor is on his way over
already. Now would you like to know why I have come here at this hour of
the night to tell you this?"

Duncombe nodded.

"Go on!" he said. "Afterwards I've something to tell you."

"I've come," Spencer said, "because I'm free now, if you like, to help
you. I was interested in your story before. I am ten times more
interested in it now. If you still want me I'll do what I can for you."

"Want you! Spencer, do you mean it?" Duncombe exclaimed. "Want you! Why,
there's no one I'd rather interest in the affair than you."

"Well, I can promise you my interest is pretty well excited already,"
Spencer answered. "I'm with you right along. Now tell me where you've
been this evening, and what's happened."

Duncombe recounted the evening's events. His new ally listened and
afterwards smoked for a moment or two in silence.

"It is simply wonderful," he declared. "T