A Maker of History

orge Duncombe was out. He would inquire, if Mademoiselle would wait, but he did not usher her into

the porter's temporary absence she started at every footstep, and scrutinized anxiously every passer-by. Often she loo

elle," he announced. "Will you be ple

how long he will

he man answered. "He has bee

own at a small round table, and once more glanced furtively around. Convinced that she was not being

orge immediately he returns,"

without doubt, Mademoi

iedly. When she reached the boulevard she slacke

t with me they would receive me at home. I might start all ove

down a man looked at her over the top of his newspaper. She tried

t is a stranger, too. If he were one

sat down beside her. They had another li

various parts of Paris. He had learnt nothing. He seemed as far off the truth as ever. He opened the note

tray me. I dare not come here again. I dare not even speak to you while the others are about. Go to t

task which seemed daily to present more difficulties and complications. Yet so absorbed had he become that the ordinary duties and pleasures which made up the routine of his life scarcely ever entered into his mind. There had been men coming down to shoot, whom in an ordinary way he would not have dreamed of putting off-a cricke

ding the tip. He considered Mademoiselle Flossie a little obvious for a gentleman of Duncombe's class. Duncombe treated himself to a cocktail and a cigaret

et restless. He summoned the waiter again, and gave a more detailed description of Mademoiselle Flossie. The waiter was regretful but positive. No young lady of any description had arrived expecting to meet a gentleman in

nine o'clock he returned to the hotel on the chance that a message might have been sent there. He read the En

little bar which led into the supper-room.

ppose?" Duncombe remarked, loo

lowly. His hands were outstretch

place is taken. I have had to turn others awa

astonished. The place w

. "I was here last evening, you know. If it is because I

and he was proud of his patronage, but to-night it was imp

stay in the bar. You can't t

used, and the people who remained in the bar-well, it was not poss

t amusing place. The most wonderful ladies there, too, very chic, and crowded every nig

answered, turning on his heel.

pile of bills. There was something almost Sphynx-like about her appearance. She never spoke. Her expression never changed. Once their eyes met. She looked at him steadfastly, but said nothing. The girl behind the bar also took note of him. She was very tall and slim, absolutely colorless, and with coils of fair hair drawn tightly ba

close at hand. He looked up. The w

ell advised," she sa

book, and her eyes were fixed upon her work. If he had not actuall

y should I go? I am in no one's

her pen i

d, still without even glancing towards him, "but I kn

angrily. "I am waiting to speak to some one who come

she blotted the page on which she had been w

too much wine, or that you owe money. In either case you will be removed. The police will not listen to you. Mon

a waiter paid his bill. The man produced a secon

this?" he asked. "I do

ay night," he said glibly. "He promised to

alf and turned away. He bow

ere right," he sa

," she answered w

r. When he reached the pavement he slipped a five-f

oung ladies who come he

an answered with a smi

dy named Mermillon-Flossie, I thi

swered promptly. "But she should be h

ed him, and ha

lle any message?" the m

" Duncombe answered. "If I d

limbed a couple of flights of narrow stairs, pushed open a swing gate, and

to find Mademoiselle Me

" the woman answered. "Mademoiselle

knocker, and then found neither. He knocked on the door with his knuckles. There was no reply. He was on th

egs on the wall. The place was in complete darkness. He struck another match. At the end of the passage