To the casual visitor, and of course it attracts thousands from its reputation, it presents no more dangers perhaps than the ordinary night cafe of its sort.

But I could think of a dozen men in Paris to-day, who, if they entered it, I honestly believe would never be seen again." Spencer was exaggerating, Duncombe murmured to himself.

He was a newspaper correspondent, and he saw these things with the halo of melodrama around them.

And yet--four nights ago.

His face was white and haggard.
"The boy," he said, "could have been no more than an ordinary visitor.
He had no great sum of money with him, he had no secrets, he did not even speak the language.