The Red Cloud chief., 1907-06-07

hpltl anu, IldhlilS ho htS ihN' IN
Office, engaged a room. And then he
asked the question which Il hundred
times on the way over he had imagin-
ed himself asking. y man to whom
nervousness in any shape was almost
unknown. he found himself only able
to control his voice and manner with
the greatest difficulty. In Il few mo-
mcnts he might see her.
You have a young English lady
Miss Poynton-staying here, | believe"
he said. "Can you tell me il she is
in now?'
The clerk looked at him with sudden
interest.
Miss Poynton is staying here, sir"
he said. II do not believe that she is
in just now. Will you wait II mo-
ment:"
He disappeared rapidly and was alb
sent for several minutes. When he
returned he came out into the recep-
ton hall.
1.-The manager would be much obliG-
ed If you would step into his Office for
a moment, sir" he said confdeItially.
"Will you come this way?"
Duncombe followed him into a small
room behind the counter. A gray hair
ed man rose from his desk and saluted
him cou%rteously.
"Sir George Duncombe. I believe" he
said. "Will you kindly take a seat?'
Duncombe did as he was asked. All
the time he felt that the manager was
scrutinizing him c%uriously.
"Your clerk" he said. told me that
you wished TO speak to me-"
Exactly" the manager answered.
you inquired when you came in for
Miss Poynton. May I ask, are you a
friend of hers?"
Il am here on behalf of her friends"
10 her"
The manager bowed gravely.
II trust he said, that you will
soon have an opportunity to deliver
. them. We are not, of course, respon-
sible in any way for he conduct or
doings of our clients here, but l am
bound to say that both the young peo-
pie Of the name you mention have been
the cause of much anxiety to us"
What do you mean?" Duncombe
asked quickly.
"Mr. Guy Poynton," the manager
continued, arrived here about three
weeks ago and took a room for himself
and one for his sister, who was to ar
rive on the following day. He went
out that same evening and has never
since returned. OF that fact you are
no doubt aware"
Duncombe nodded impatiently.
YES" he said; that Is why | am
here"
Ills sister arrived on the following
day and was naturally very distressed.
We'did all that we could for her. We
put her in the way of communicating
with the police and the embassy here,
and we gave her every assistance
1hat was possible. -Four nights ago
mademoiselle went out late. Since
then we have seen nothing of her.
Mademoiselle also has disappeared"
Duncombe sprang to his feet. He
was suddenly pale.
Good God!" he exclaimed. "Four
nights ago! She went out alone, you
say"
How else? She had no friends here.
Once or twice at my suggestion she
has taken one of our guides with her,
but she discontinued this as she
fancied that it made her conspicuous.
She was all the time going around to
places making inquiries about her
brother"
Duncombe felt himself suddenly pre-
cipitated into a new world-a night,
mare of horrors. lie was no stranger
in the city, and grim possibilities un'
folded themselves before his eyes,
-Four nights ago!
You have semitic the p~oliceI"
Naturally, but in Parls-mons.eur
must excuse me If l speak plainly-a
disappearance of this sort is never re.
garded seriously by them. You know
the life here without doubt. Your
accent proves that you are we'll ac
quainted with the city. No doubt theil
conclusions are based upon direct OBJ
servation and in most cases are cor
rect, but it is very certain that mon,
sieur the superintendent regards such
disappearance as these as due to ON
cause only"
Duncombe frowned, and something
flashed in his eyes which made the
manager very glad that he had not put
forward this suggestion on his own &C
count.
with regard to the boy" he said