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244 we make a quartette. &hellip; I have an acquaintance in the saloon here: a capital fellow he is."

Then, turning to Gina: "You also, Madame," he said, "should have a little diversion."

I protested very strongly.

"Not the least need for him; let him stay where he is. You are what we want."

I held him back, putting my hands upon his shoulders, and my face close to the animal face of that unknown man.

He smiled, much flattered: his white teeth gleamed.

"We shall not keep you long, if you wish to leave us. But for the present, you have to stay with us."

Some one—who could it be?—filled my liqueur-glass with cognac again and again. Presently, a crimson blood-red smoke began to float from corner to corner of the small cabinet, papered with red and gold, and filled with the sound of his loud voice and the reek of tobacco. All round me, everything was afire and aflame.

He was drawing near; in every limb of mine I felt his approach. His jaws, chewing