You shall be the first to
announce an affair of the greatest international importance since the
war between Russia and Japan was declared. No, I will go further than
that. It is the greatest event since Waterloo."
"_L'affaire Poynton_ strikes so deep?" Spencer remarked.
"So deep," the Baron answered. "It is the fools who grope their way into
great places. So did the boy Poynton. You, my friend, shall be the one
brilliant exception. You shall make yourself the king of journalists,
and you shall be quoted down the century as having achieved the greatest
journalistic feat of modern days."
Spencer turned his drawn, haggard face towards his visitor. A slight
flush of color stained his cheek.
"You fascinate me," he said slowly. "I admit it. You have found the weak
spot in my armor. Proceed! For whom do you speak?"
Monsieur Louis abandoned his somewhat lounging attitude. He stood by
Spencer's side, and, leaning down, whispered in his ear. Spencer's eyes
grew bright.
"Monsieur Louis," he said, "you play at a great game."
The Baron shrugged his shoulders.
"Me!" he answered. "I am but a pawn. I do what I am told."
"To return for a moment to _l'affaire Poynton_," Spencer said.
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