; he turned back toward the marble staircase.

"Come!" he commanded.

Sam led him to the secluded corner Polly and he had left vacant and
told his story.

"So, it is evident," concluded Sam, "that each night some one in the
service of the Times dined at Pavoni's, and that his hat was the same
sort of hat as the one worn by Hertz; and each night, inside the lining
of his hat, Hertz hid the report of that day's proceedings. And when
the Times man left the restaurant he exchanged hats with Hertz. But
to-night--I got Hertz's hat and with it the treaty!"

In perplexity the blue eyes of the little great man frowned.

"It is a remarkable story," he said.

"You mean you don't believe me!" retorted Sam. "If I had financial
standing--if I had credit--if I were not a stranger--you would not
hesitate."

Baron Haussmann neither agreed nor contradicted. He made a polite and
deprecatory gesture. Still in doubt, he stared at the piece of white
paper. Still deep in thought, he twisted and creased between his
fingers the Treaty of London!

Returning with the duchess from supper, Polly caught sight of Sam and,
with a happy laugh, ran toward him. Seeing he was not alone, she
halted and waved her hand.

"Don't forget!" she called. "At eleven!"

She made a sweet and lovely picture. Sam rose and bowed.

"I'll be there at ten," he answered.

With his mild blue eyes the baron followed Polly until she had
disappeared. Then he turned and smiled at Sam.

"Permit me," he said, "to offer you my felicitations. Your young lady
is very beautiful and very good." Sam bowed his head. "If she trusts
you," murmured the baron, "I think I can trust you too."

"How wonderful is credit!" exclaimed Sam. "I was just saying so to my
landlady. If you have only cash you spend it and nothing remains. But
with credit you can--"

"How much," interrupted the banker, "do you want for this?"

Sam returned briskly to the business of the moment.

"To be your partner," he said--"to get half of what you make out of it."

The astonished eyes of the baron were large with wonder. Again he
reproved Sam.

"What I shall make out of it?" he demanded incredulously. "Do you know
how much I shall make out of it?"

"I cannot even guess," said Sam; "but I want half."

The baron smiled tolerantly.

"And how," he asked, "could you possibly know what I give you is really
half?"

In his turn, Sam made a deprecatory gesture.

"Your credit," sai