The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-07-05

ION 10 the library REMAIN was stand
ing in the middle of the room He
had the appearance of q man listening
| intently.
George he asked sharply, what
is on the north side of the room?''
The WALL" Duncombe answered
| And beyond?"
"A passage and the billiard-room"
Pelham seemed dissatisfied
Il fancied." he muttered-''but l sup
pose it must have been fancy. Do the
women servants uSe that passage?"
''Of course. Upon my word" Dun
| combe added with a nervous little
laugh, you all seem to be trying to
make my house into Maskelyne and
Cookies home of mystery. Let us go
| into the dining-room and have a
whisky and soda
Not for me, thanks" Lord Runton
declared. Il must go back. The real
| object of my coming here. Duncombe,
was to see if the Mr. Spencer who
called at Runton Place today was
! really Mr.. Jarvis Spencer. and if so
to ask him whether he would help me-"
ITO what extent" Lord Runton
! Spencer asked quietly.
ITO the extent of recovering, or at
tempting to recover, the papers which
| were stolen from the Baron Won
ROthe.' Lord Runton said" The baron
the occurrence very much. He will
| not let me even mention the matter
to the police. but ] feel sure that he
could not object to Mr.. Spencer's TAX
ing the matter in hand"
Il think you will find Spencer said.
that Won Rothe has alreAsy placed
the matter in the hands of his own
people. The German secret service is
pretty active over here, you know.
have come in contact with il once or
twice"
Nevertheless. for my own satisfac-
tion," Lord Runton continued. Il
should like the matter inquired into
by you. Mr.. Spencer"
II am not quite sure whether / am
free to help you or not" Spencer. said
slowly. May | come and see you
tomorrow morning."
If you prefer it, Lord Runton said
doubtfully. Come as early as possible.
Good night. Duncombe. / should like
to know who your nocturnal visitor
was"
IF he comes again." Duncombe said,
II may be able to tell you"
He walked to his desk. and taking
out a revolver, slipped it into his
pocket. Then he rang the bell for Lord
Runton's carriage. 1t seemed to Dun
combe that there was shade of cool
ness i'm his visitors manner as he took
his leave. He drew Spencer a little on
one side.
Il want you to promise to come and
see me in any case tomorrow morn
ing he said. There is something
which / should prefer saying to you in
my own house to saying here"
Spencer nodded.
very WELL" he said. II will come.
I can promise that much at least"
Lord Runton departed. Pelham went
off to bed. Spencer and his host were
left alone in the library
Billiards, or a whisky and soda in
the smoke-room ?" the latter asked Il
know that you are not late bird
Neither, thanks. Just word with
you here" Spencer answered.
Duncombe paused on his way to the
door. Spencer was standing in a re-
Elective attitude with his hands behind
his back gently balancing himself
upon his toes.
Il am very much disposed" he said.
Ito accept Lord Runton's offer. Have
you any objection
"Of course / have" Duncombe an
swered. You are working for me-
WAS working for you," Spencer cor
rected gently. That is all over, isn't
What do you mean?" Duncombe ex
claimed
Spencer stood squarely upon his feet
He looked little tired.
MY engagement from you was to
find Miss Phyllis Poynton. he said
softly You and l are perfectly we'll
aware that the young lady in question
is-well, a few yards behind that cur
tain he said motioning with his head
towards it. My task is accomplished,
and / consider myself a free man."
Duncombe was silent for a moment
He walked restlessiy to the window
and back again.
How did you find out that she was
here?" he asked.
Spencer looked a little disguised.
MY dear fellow" he said, any one
with the brains of a mouse must have
discovered that Why, Lord Runton,
without any of the intiT ations which
1 have received, is a little suspicious.
That is merely a matter of A c.
There were difficulties, / admit. and
am sorry to say that i have never
solved them i cannot tell you at this
moment how it comes about that
young lady. brought up in the country
here, and from all l can learn an or
binary, unambitious. virtuous sort of
young person, should disappear from
England in search of missing brother.
and return in a few months the. COM
panion of one of the most dangerous
and brilliant members of the French
secret service This sort of thing is
clean beyond me. l admit. / will be
frank with you, Duncombe. | have met
with difficulties in this case which 1
have never met with before-peculiar
difficulties"
go on" Duncombe exclaimed
ca gerly.
Il have many sources OF information
in Paris" Spencer continued slowly Il
have acquaintance amongst walters,
cabmen. cafe proprietors, detectives,
and many such people. / have always
found them most useful. ! went among
them. making careful inquiries about
Phyllis Poynton and her brother. They
were like men struck dumb. Their
| mouths were closed like rat traps. The
mention of either the boy or the girl
seemed to change them as though like
magic from pleasant, talkative men and
women. very eager to make the best of
their little bit of information, into surly
idiots, incapable of understanding or
answering the slightest question 1t
was the most extraordinary experience
l have ever come across"
Duncombe was breathlessly inter-
ested.