The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-06-28
Drawings by FRED PEeRAM.
Copyright. 1905, 1906. by Little.
Brown & Co., Boston.
CHAPTER XVIII.


II seemed TO Duncombe that time
stood stir. Andrews face wholly dis
figured by the hideOus dark spectacles,
unrecognizable, threatening, was with
in a few inches OF his own. He felt
the others hot breath upon his cheek.
For a moment there stole through his
numbed senses the fear of more ter
rible things. And then the grip which
held him relaxed. Andrew stood away
gasping The crisis was over.
you lied TO me, George. Why?"
@Duncombe did not answer. He could
not II was as though his body had
been emptied OF all breath.
You meant to keep the contents of
that telegram a secret from me. Why?
Was / right after all? Read me that
telegram. George. Read it me truth
fully"
The telegram is from Spencer" Dun
combe said. He is coming here"
Here? Is he giving up the search?
Has he failed. them"
He does not say" Duncombe an
swered. He says simply that he is
coming here. He has wired for a motor
10 meet him at Lynn. He may be here
tonight"
A discordant laugh broke from Pei
hams lips.
What about your Miss Fielding.
now?" he exclaimed why do you
suppose that he is leaving Paris and
coming here? l was right. l knew
that 1 was right"
Duncombe stood up. His expanse of
shirt front was crumpled and battered.
His white tie was hanging down in rib
bons.
Listen. Andrew" he exclaimed. 4
am speaking OF the girl by whose side
I sat tonight at dinner who calls her
self Miss Fielding, who has-in plain
words-denied that she knows anything
or Phyllis POyntOn. I want you to
understand this Whatever she may
choose 10 call herself, that shall be her
name. / will not have her questioned
or bullied or watched. If Spencer comes
here to do either l have finished with
him. l elect myself her protector.
will stand between her and all suspi-
cion OF evil things"
She has found a champion indeed"
Pelham exclaimed ftercely. with Miss
Fielding / have nothing to do. Yet
you had better understand this. If she
be Phyllis Poynton she belongs TO me,
and not to you. She was mine before
you heard her name. / have watched
her grow up from a child. l taught her
10 ride and to shoot and to swim.
have watched her listening TO the wind
nEiulnS over Allt l4UMtIS III utE gar
den. have walked with her over
the moor when the twilight fell and
the mists rose. We have seen the kim
ding OF the stars, and We have seen
the moon grow pale and the eastern sky
ablaze. ! have taught her where TO
look for the beautiful things Of life
she has belonged 10 me i'm all ways.
save one. / am poor, helpless crea-
ture now, George. but. by the gods. I
Will let no one rob me of my one holy
compensation. She is the girl / love.
the better part of my life"
Phyllis POyntOn may be all these
things TO you" Dupcombe answered.
81 do not know her ! do not recog-
nize her. Find her. if you can: make
OF her what you will. All that I ask of
you is that you diYest your mind OF
these senseless suspicious. Seek Phyl-
lis Poynton where YOU will, but leave
alone the woman whom l love. l will
not have her troubled or annoyed by
needless opportunities. She says she is
Miss. Fielding, Then she is Miss Field
ing. II Is enough for me. 1t must be
enough for your
And what about Spencer" Pelham
asked grimly.
Spencer in this matter is my serv-
ant" Duncombe answered. IF his
search for Phyllis Poynton entails his
annoying Miss Fielding. then he is dis
missed. / Tyill have no more 10 do
with the business"
Il have heard of this man Spencer, %
Andrew answered. IF you think that
he is the sort Of creature whom you
can order about like that. l fancy that
YOU are mistaken. You can try 10 call
him off. If you like. but YOU won't sue
coed. He is searching for Phyllis Poyn-
ton, and he is coming here. I believe
that he will find her"
The windows We're wide open. and
both men suddenly turned around
There was no mistaking the sound that
came to them from the road outside
the regular thrOb and beat of a per
fectly balanced engine. Then they
heard mans voice. cool and precise.
Here you are. then. and a sover-
eign for yourself A capital little car.
this Good nightw
The little iron gate opened and closed.
A tall man in a loose travelling coat.
and carrying a small bag, entered. He
saw Duncombe standing al the omen
window and waved his hand. As he ap-
preached his bOyish face lit up into a
smile.
What luck to find you upr' he ex-
claimed. You got my telegram 2''
An hour ago" DuncOmbe answered.
This is my friend. Andrew Pelham.
What will you have2"
Whisky and soda and a biscuit
please" was the prompt reply. Have
mt upset you, l hope. coming down
from the clouds in this fashion?'
mot in the least" Duncombe an
swered. You've made US very curious.
though
Dear met Spencer exclaimed, what
a pity / came here TO ask questions.
not 10 answer them. You've set me a
regular poser. Duncombe. BY Jovel
that's good whisky"
Help yourself" Duncombe answ cred
I'VE won't bother you tonight Tn
show you room as soon as you've
had a cigarette. Fair crossing?"
mo idea" Spencer answered. ct
slept all the way. Jolly place you've
got here. Duncombe, Nice country.
TOO"
There Is just one question" Pelham
began.
''Sha'n't answer it-tonight." Spencer
interrupted firmly. I'm dead sleepv.
and l couldn't guarantee 10 tell the
truth. And when tomorrow comes
III be frank with you've very little