"Who are you?" the woman again demanded. "How dare you come uninvited
into my room?"

The man straightened, himself up, and standing with his back to the
fire brought forth a package of cigarettes, selected one, and
deliberately lighted it.

"You don't mind if I have a smoke, do you?" he asked. "It's good for
the nerves."

"Indeed I do," the woman replied. "I hate smoking. I never allow it
in this room."

"I'm sorry, madame, but you'll soon forget all about it. I have come
to see you to-night on very important business, and when I tell you
what it is you won't think any more about the smoke."

"Important business! With me? Why, I never saw you before, and I have
not the slightest idea who you are. What do you want, anyway?"

"Yes, it's important business, as I have just said, and when I learned
that you would see no one to-night I was compelled to force myself upon
your presence."

"How did you know that I would see no one to-night? Were you listening
at the door?"

"Madame, when you get to know me better you will learn that I am able
to read people's thoughts, though doors may intervene. Words are