Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-27
CHAPTER VI.

hotel and, making his way into the office, engaged room. And then he asked the question which hundred times on the way over he had imagin- ed himself asking. A 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 few mo- ments he might see her.
 You have young English lady Miss Poynton-staying here, believe, " he said. Gan you tell me if she is in nowT"
 The clerk looked at him with sudden interest
 Miss Poynton is staying here, sir,'' he said. T do not believe that she is in just now. Will you Wait one mo. ment?"
 He disappeared rapidly and was ab- sent for several minutes. When he returned he came out into the recep- tion hall.
 ''The manager would be much oblig- ed if you would step into his office for a moment, sir" he said confidentially. twill 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 courteously.
 Sir George Duncombe, believe" he said. Will you kindly take seat?"
 Duncombe did as he was asked. All the time he felt that the manager was scrutinizing him curiously.
 ''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?'
 T am here on behalf of her friends" Duncombe answered. T have letters to her."
 The manager bowed gravely.
 ''I trust" he said, "that you will soon have an opportunity to deliver them. We are not, of course, respon- sible in any way for the conduct or doings of our clients here, but 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 I am here"
 His 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 that 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 sayi"
 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. He was no stranger in the city, and grim possibilities un- folded themselves before his eyes. Four nights ago.
 You have sent.tO the policeY"
 Naturally. but in Parls-monsieur must excuse me if I speak plainly-a disappearance of this sort Is never re- 1 garded seriously by them. You know the life here without doubt Your l accent proves that you are we'll ac- quainted with the city. No doubt their ! conclusions are based upon direct ob- ] seryation and in most cases are cor rect. but it is very certain that mon- 1 sieur the superintendent regards such l disappearances as these as due to one l cause only" Duncombe frOwned, and something l flashed in his eyes which made the l manager very glad that be had not put i forward this suggestion on his own ac- | count. "with regard to the boy" he said. l ''this might be likely enough. but with | regard to the young lady 1t is of course ! wildly preposterous. I will go to the i police myself" he added. rising. 'O1e moment. Sir George" the man. 1 sger continued. The disa earance of 1 the young lady was a source of much l trouble to me. and made all possible 1 Inquiries within the hotel I found I that on the day of her disappearance | mademoiseIle had been told by one of l the attendants in the barber's shop. | who had waited upon her brother on the night of hIs arrival. that he-M- ! Guy-had asked for the names of some cafes for supper and that he had recom- mended the Cafe Montmartre. Made noiselle appears 10 have decided to go there herself to make inquiries. We have m doubt that when she left the hotel on the night of her disappearance it was tO there that she went
 You have told the police thfsy'