accepted the invitation to play the spy upon a spy, and went
at the proper hour to Mr. Smithers's rooms, which are in the
University Building. I found them picturesque in the extreme.
Piles of books stacked here and there to the ceiling made
nooks and corners which could be quite shut off by a couple of
old pictures that were set into movable frames that swung out
or in at the whim or convenience of the owner.

"As I liked the dark shadows cast by these pictures, I pulled
them both out, and made such other arrangements as appeared
likely to facilitate the purpose I had in view, then I sat
down and waited for the two gentlemen who were expected to
come in together.

"They arrived almost immediately, whereupon I rose and played
my part with all necessary discretion. While ridding Mr. T----
of his overcoat, I stole a look at his face. It is not a
handsome one, but it boasts of a gay, devil-may-care
expression which doubtless makes it dangerous to many women,
while his manners are especially attractive, and his voice the
richest and most persuasive that I ever heard. I contrasted
him, almost against my will, with Dr. Zabriskie, and decided
that with most women the former's undoubted fascinations of
speech and bearing would outweigh the latter's great beauty
and mental endowments; but I doubted if they would with her.

"The conversation which immediately began was brilliant but
desultory, for Mr. Smithers, with an airy lightness for which
he is remarkable, introduced topic after topic, perhaps for
the purpose of showing off Mr. T----'s versatility, and perhaps
for the deeper and more sinister purpose of shaking the
kaleidoscope of talk so thoroughly, that the real topic which
we were met to discuss should not make an undue impression on
the mind of his guest.

"Meanwhile one, two, three bottles passed, and I saw Joe
Smithers's eye grow calmer and that of Mr. T---- more brilliant
and more uncertain. As the last bottle showed signs of
failing, Joe cast me a meaning glance, and the real business
of the evening began.

"I shall not attempt to relate the half-dozen failures which
Joe made in endeavoring to elicit the facts we were in search
of, without arousing the suspicion of his visitor. I am only
going to relate the successful