Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-16

SWer your questions ut all, truthfulIy
or untruthfuily. have been making a
few inquiries for my friend Duncombe.
At present / regret to say that ] have
been unsuccessful In their present
crude state should prefer keeping my
discoveries, such as they are, to N.Y.
SELF"
Pelham struck the sideboard with his
clinched fist so that all the glasses rat
tied upon the tray. His face was dark
with passion
81 will not be ignored in this mat
ter" he declared. Phyllis Poynton
and her brother are nothing to Dun
combe. He acted only for me. He
cannot deny it. Ask him for yourself"
II do not need to ask him." Spencer
answered. II am perfectly well aware
Of the circumstances of the case. All
the same, l go about my business my
own way. l am not ready to answer
questions from you or anybody else"
You shall tell me this at least" Pei
ham declared "You shall tell me why
You telegraphed here for the names OF
Lord Runton's house party"
Simplest thing in the world" Spen-
Ger answered, relinqushing his attack
upon the sandwiches and lighting a
cigarette. Il did 1t to oblige friend
who writes society notes for the New
York Herald"
Duncombe gave vent to a little ex-
clamation of triumph. Pelham for the
moment was speechless.
lawfully sorry If i misled you III
any way" Spencer continued. Il new
err imagined your connecting my re-
quest with the disappearance of Phyl-
lis Poynton. Why should IL"
1.-The fact is" Duncombe interposed.
'there is girl staying at Runton
exactly like Phyllis Poynton's and
whose general appearance. | will adj
NIT. is somewhat similar to the photo
graph l showed you. 1t is a coincl
dence, of course but beyond that it is
absurd to go. This young lady is a
Miss Fielding. She is there with her
father, and they are invited guests.
with all the proper credentials
Spencer nodded.
II suppose it is because l am not 4
lady's man." he said carelessly, but
must admit that all girls voices
sound pretty rluch alike to me-
II wish to heaven tina; / could see
your facew Pelham exclaimed 81
should know then whether YOU We're
telling me the truth"
1.-The weak point about my tempo
rary profession is" Spencer remarked
| thoughtfullH that it enables even
strangers to insult one with IMMUNITY"
"If l have misjudged you" Pelham
said, with some dignity, Il am sorry.
am to understand. then. that you
have no news whatever ~ give us
about the disappearance of Phyllis
Poynton and her brother?''
Not scrap" Spencer answered.
| 81 will wish you both good night.
then," Pelham said. NO. don't trou-
BILE, George l can find my way quite
well by myself"
He disappeared, and Duncombe drew
a little sigh of relief.
''Excitable person, your friend!'
Spencer remarked.
| Duncombe nodded.
every! I am frightened to death
that he will make an ass of himself
before Miss Fielding. If he hears her
speak he loses his head
"Nice girl?" Spencer asked.
''Yes-veryW
"What sort OF fellows the fatherr
"very quiet. I've scarcely spoken t.
him. They're Americans. Friends Of
Lord Runton's brother out in New
York. Ever heard of them?"
Eyes, a few times
"You seem Interested"
81 am-very."
Duncombe turned suddenly white.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Spencer held his cigarette between
his fingers and looked at it thought
fully.
mfr. Fielding of New York" he said
"sailed for America from Havre las
Saturday. His daughter has gone t,
Russia with a party of friends"
/, Duncombe sprang from his seat
His cigarette slipped from his fingers
and fell unheeded upon the carpet.
''Then who-who are these people p
i. he exclaimed.
Spencer shrugged his shoulders.
81 thought it worth WHILE" he said
i. ito come over and find out"
1