The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-06
CHAPTER xxx.

n dark. smooth shaven man and had
apparently just descended from the
lift. At the sound of Duncombe's lit
tie exclamation they both stopped
short. Andrew turned his heavily
specialized eyes In Duncombe's dlrec-
ton, but it was obvious that he saw
nothing.
"You here. Andrew"
Eyes, Why not?"
The tone was curt, almost discour-
teous. Duncombe understood at once.
"Lct us sit down somewhere and
talk for a few minutes" he said. 81
did not expect you. You should have
let me know that you were coming"
Andrew laughed a little bitterly.
II scarcely see why" he said. "To
tell you the truth, I see no advantage
to either Of us in any intercourse"
Duncombe took him by the arm and
led him toward the smoking room.
Andrew" he said, perhaps l have
| behaved badly-at least from your
point of view, but remember that l
warnea you. Let us sit down here.
Who is your friend?"
"Never mind" Andrew answered.
You can say what you have to before
him. He is in my confidence"
Duncombe glanced around. The man
had taken the chair next TO them and
was evidently prepared to listen to all
that was said. His clothes and bear
ing ana quiet, unobtrusive all
seemed to suggest truthfully enough
his possible identity-an English de
tcctive from an advertised Office. u
conbe smiled as he realized the almost
| pitiful ~inadcQuacy of such methods.
"Come, Andrew" he said. turning to
his friend, you have a small griev-
ancc against me, ana you think you
have a great one"
"a small grievance" Andrew muir
INJURED softly. "Thank you, Dun
combc."
"Go on, then. State It," Duncombe
declared. Let me hear what Is in
your mind"
Andrew raised his brows slowly.
Twice ne seemed to speak, but at the
last moment remained silent. lie was
obviously struggling to control himself.
"Therc is this in my mind against
you, D%uncombe," he said finally: Il
sent for you as n friend. You accept
ell Il charge from mt rs my friend, and
you betrayed me-"
Duncombe shook his head.
Listen, Andrew" he said. 81 want
to remind you again of what l said
just now. / warned you. No, don't in
terrupt. 1t may have sounded like non
sense to you. l meant every word l
said. l honestly tried to make you I'M
derstand. | came here. risked many
land. Up till then you had nothing to
complain Of. Then, heaven knows
why, but the very girl whom I had
gone to Paris to seek came to Runton
in the guise at least of an adven.
turess."
Andrew lifted his head quickly.
You admit 1t at last, then?' he
cried.
Eyes. l admit 1t now" Duncombe
agreed.
"You lied to me thereto me who
had no eyes, who trusted you. What
was that but betrayal, rank, inexcus
able betrayalT"
'Listen, Andrew" Duncombe said.
"She told me that she vas not Phyllis
Poynton. 1t was enough for me. l
disregarded my convictions. Her word
was my law. She said that she was
not Phyllis Poynton, and to me she
never was Phyllis Poynton. She was
afraid of you, and l helped her to
avoid YOU. | admit 1t. 1t Is the extent
of my failing in our friendship, and
you were warned"
"And now?"
81 am here now" Duncombe said, a
little sadly, because | love her and
because | cannot keep away. But she
will not see me, and | nm no nearer
solving the mystery than ever. On the
contrary, | know that | am in danger
here, 1t is possible that | may be
driven to leave Paris tonight"
you know where she is nowT"
"Yes."
Andrew leaned suddenly over, and
his grip was on Duncombe's shoulder
like Il wise.