Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-01

down." Duncombe repeated. "Her hair was sort of deep red brown-what, could see of It. But. seriously, Andrew, what is the use of discussing her? One might as soon expect one of my house, |, maids to change into Phyllis Poynton as to discover her with brand new fa' ther, brand new name and a guest at Runton Place"
 Andrew was silent for a moment. He touched his spectacles with weary gesture and covered his eyes with his hand.
 ...Yes," he said, T suppose you are right I suppose am a fool. But the voice!'
 ..'The laughter of women," said Dun- combe, lis music all the world over. One cannot differ very much from the other"
 You are quite wrong, George" An drew said. '.The voices of women vary like the thumb marks of criminals. There are no two attuned exactly alike. It is the receptive organs that are at fault. We who have lost one sense find others little keener. The laughter of that girl! George, will you keep me a few days longer? Somehow I cannot bring myself to leave until I have heard her voice once more.'
 Duncombe laughed heartily.
 My dear fellow" he said, T shah bless your uncommonly sensitive ears if they keep you here with me for even an extra few days. You shall have your opportunity too. I always dine at Runton House after our first shoot, and I know Runton quite we'll enough to take you. You shall sit at the same table. Hello, what's this light wab- bling up the drive?"
 He strolled yard or so away and returned.
 "A bicycle. he remarked. "One of the grooms been down to the village. l shall have to speak to Burdett in the morning. I will not have these fellows coming home at all sorts of times in the morning. Come along in, Andrew. Just drain, eh? And cigarette and then to bed. Runton's keen on his bag, and they say that German Rothe's a fine shot. Can't let them have it all their own way"
 "No fear of that" Andrew answered, stepping through the window. "I'll have the cigarette, please, but I don't care about any more whisky. The Field mentioned your name only few weeks ago as one of the finest shots at rising birds in the country, so I don't think you need fear the German"
 'T ought to hold my own with the cartridges. Duncombe admitted, help ing himself from the siphon, but Come in, come in!' A servant entered with Q telegram upon silver salyer.
 "A boy has Just brought this from i Runton, sir" he said.
 Duncombe tore 1t open. He was ex. pecting message from his gunmaker, and he opened it without any particu- lar interest, but as he read his whole manner changed. He held the sheet in front of him long enough to have read 1t a dozen times. He could not restrain the slight start-a half exclamation. Then his teeth came together. He re membered the servant and looked up.
 "There will be no answer tonight, Murray" he said. "Give the boy a shilling and some supper. If he goes home by the Runton gates, tell him to be sure and close them because of the deer"
 The man departed Duncombe laid the telegram upon the table. He felt that Andrew was waiting impatiently for him to speak. l "The telegram is from Spencer" Duncombe said.
 "He has discovered somethingT
 "On the contrary" Duncombe an swered, "he is asking me for informa- tion, and curious information too"
 "What does be want to know"
 "The telegram Duncombe said slowly, ''is in French. He asks me to wire him at once the names of all the guests at Runton Place"
 Andrew struck the table a mighty blow with his cllnched fist.
 q knew it!' he cried. Tt was her laugh, her voice. Phyllis Poynton Is l therew
 Duncombe looked at his friend in- credulously.
 My dear Andrew" he said, ''be req sonable. The young lady and her ia ther in that omnibus were introduced to me by Runton himself as Mir. and Miss Fielding They are going to hls house as his guests. Naturally there fore he knows all about them. Miss Poynton. as you have told me more than once, is an orphan" Common sense won't even admit 1t as a matter of argument" Andrew said. T know that quite well. But how do you atcount for Spencer's tele- | gram!'
 "Remember that be Is a newspaper correspondent" Duncombe said. "He i has many interests and many friends with whom he is constantly exchang- | ing information. It is a coincidence, | admit. But the widest flight of imagination could not make any more | of it."
 "You must be right" Andrew said quietly. Tt all sounds and is so con vIncing. But I wish that I had mol heard that laughs'
 CHAPTER Xv.
 - UNcOMBE leaned bis gun UT