Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-07
CHAPTER XXry.


 and bolts of the ponderous D front door and looked out into
 the darkness. A carriage and pair of horses were drawn up outside. A man and woman, both dressed in long travelling coats, were standing upon the doorstep.
 '"This is Duncombe Hall, believe" the man said "Is Sir George Dun. combe at homer"
 T am Sir George Duncombe," he an- swered. twill you come insideY' They crossed the threshold at once The man was tall and dark, and his voice and bearing were unmistakable The woman was fair, petite and appar- ently very sleepy. She wore magniff- cent furs, and she had the air of being in very bad temper.
 We really are heartily ashamed of ourselves for disturbing you at such an hour, Sir George" the man said, "but you will pardon us when you under stand the position. I am the Marquis de St. Ethol, and this is my wife. have letter to you from my friend the Duke of Chestow, with whom we have been staying"
 1 Duncombe concealed his astonish- ment as well as he was able He bow ed to the lady and led them toward the library. Spencer, who had heard them coming had hastily concealed his re- volver and was lounging in an easy chair reading the evening paper.
 T am afraid that my servants are all in bed" Duncombe said, "and I can only offer you bachelors hospitality. This is my friend, Mir Spencer-the | Marquis and Marquise de St. Ethol. Wheel that easy chair up, Spencer, will you?"
 Spencer's brow had betrayed not the slightest sign of surprise, but Dun- combe fancied that the marquis had glanced at him keenly. He was hold ing note in his hand, which he offer ed to Duncombe.
 My errand is so unusual and the hour so extraordinary" he said, that 1 thought it would be better for Ches- tow to write you line or two. Will you please read it?'
 Duncombe tore open the envelope. Chestow. Wednesday Evening. My Dear Duncombe-My friend De St. Ethol tells me that he is obliged at great personal inconvenience to execute com mission for a friend which involves a somewhat unceremonious call upon you tonight. He desires me, therefore, to send you these few lines. The Marquis de St. Ethol and his wife are among my oldest friends. It gives me great pleasure to vouch for them both in every way. Yours sincerely, a.s CHESTOW.
 "The letter, I am afraid the mar quis said, smiling, docs little to sat isfy your curiosity. Permit me to ex- plain my errand In a few words"
 Certainly" Duncombe interrupted. But won't you take something? I am glad to see that Spencer is looking aft CT your wife"
 The marquise had raised her veil and was leaning back in a chair, with sandwich poised in the fingers of one hand and glass of burgundy in the other. She was looking little less bored and was chatting gayly to Spen- cer, whose French was equal to her own.
 T thank you very much" the mar quis said. T will not take anything to drink, but if you have cigarettes An, thanks"
 He lit one and sat on the arm of an easy chair.
 ''The facts are these," he said. "I have a great friend in Paris who, knowing that I was at Chestow and returning to France tomorrow. has, I fear I must say, taken some advantage of my good nature. I am asked to call here and escort home to her friends young lady who, I understand, is for the moment a guest under your roof. My friend, must say, telegraphs in a most mysterious manner. but he Is evil dently very anxious that we should accede to his request. Our appearance here at this time of night 1 admit Is most unjustliable, but what were we to do? It is absolutely necessary for my wife to catch the 2:20 from Char ing Cross tomorrow. I hope that my friend will some day appreciate my devotion. To come round by your house have had to borrow carriage from my friend Chestow. We shall have a drive to Norwich and catch train from there to London in the small hours of t.e morning. I presume the yoIns ISdy Is here?-
 "The young lady Is here," Duncombe answered. May I inquire the name of the friend to whom you are asked to take herr"
 The marquis yawned slightly. He. too. seemed weary.
 My dear Sir George" he said, 'I trust that you will appreciate my posi- ton in this matter. do not even know the young lady's name. sfy eccentric friend in his telegram. which occupied four forms. most specially insisted that should ask or answer no questions concerning her"
 You are not aware. then, of the cir cumstances which led to her coming hereT- Duncombe asked.
 T am utterly ignorant of them." the marquis answered T am constrained to remain so" 'YOu no doubt have some message for her." Duncombe said. Her posi- ticn here is little peculiar She may desire some sort of information as to her destination
 The marquis knocked the ash on his cigarette.
 If you will produce the young lady.- he said. T think that vo,1 will find her