"Ah--" and then, for the first time, he came to the true object of his visit.

"The conversation we had some weeks ago, Mr.Frowenfeld, has started a train of thought in my mind"-- he began to smile as if to convey the idea that Joseph would find the subject a trivial one--"which has almost brought me to the--" A light footfall accompanied with the soft sweep of robes cut short his words.

There had been two or three entrances and exits during the time the Creole had tarried, but he had not allowed them to disturb him.

Now, however, he had no sooner turned and fixed his glance upon this last comer, than without so much as the invariable Creole leave-taking of "Well, good evening, sir," he hurried out..