, "that some of the clever ones have
been imposing upon Sir George. It generally turns out so when amateurs
tackle a job like this."

Duncombe looked at him in astonishment.

"Do you mean to say that you don't believe me?" he exclaimed.

"I wouldn't put it like that, sir," the man answered with a deprecating
smile. "I think you have been misled by those who did not wish you to
discover the truth."

Duncombe turned sharply on his heel.

"And you, Andrew?"

"I wish to do you justice," Andrew answered coldly, "and I am willing to
believe that you have faith yourself in the extraordinary story you
have just told us. But frankly I think that you have been too
credulous."

Duncombe lost his temper. He turned on his heel, and walked back into
the hotel.

"You can go to the devil your own way!" he declared.

CHAPTER VII

SPENCER GETS HIS CHANCE

Spencer tried to rise from the sofa, but the effort was too much for
him. Pale and thin, with black lines under his eyes, and bloodless 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.

"I am permitted," he asked gently, "to introduce myself?"

"Quite unnecessary!" Spencer answered.

The Baron shrugged his shoulders.

"You know me?" he asked.

The shadow of a smile flitted across Spencer's face.

"By many names, Monsieur Louis," he answered.

His visitor smiled. Debonair in dress and deportment, there seemed
nothing to inspire alarm in the air of gentle concern with which he
regarded the man whom he had come to visit. Yet Spencer cursed the
languor which had kept him from recovering the revolver which an hour or
more before had slipped from underneath his cushion.

"It saves trouble," Monsieur Louis said. "I come to you. Monsieur
Spencer, as a friend."

"You alarm me," Spencer murmured.

Monsieur Louis shrugged his shoulders.

"You are pleased to be witty," he answered. "But indeed I am no such
terrible person. It is permitted that I smoke?"

"Certainly," Spencer answered. "If you care for wine or liqueurs pray
ring for my servant. I can assure you that it is not by my own will that
you find me so indifferent a host."

"I thank you," Monsieur Louis answered. "I think that we will not ring
the bell. It would be a pity to disturb an interview to which I have
looked forward with so mu