Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-23

Duncombe asked.
Something has happened at Runton
House, in which Mr.. Fielding and his
daughter are concerned" Pelham con-
tinued. ~ have heard all manner of
strange rumors This afternoon l dis
tinctly heard the girls voice in the
lane outside. She was crying out as
though in fear. A few minutes later |
heard you speaking to some one III the
/ library. Yet when / entered the room
you would not answer me-"
"Supposing | grant everything that
you say, Andrew" Duncombe answer
ed "SuppoSing | admit that strange
things have happened with regard to
Mr. Fielding and his daughter which
have resulted in their leaving Runton
| uouse-even that she was there in the
| lane this afternoon does all this
concern you!'
because" Pelham declared striking
.he table with his fist, II am not salts
ied that the girl who has been staying
at Runton House and calling herself
Miss Fielding is not in reality Phyllis
Poynton."
| Duncombe lit cigarette and passed
them round.
DO you know what they are saying
tonight of Mr.. Fielding and his daugh-
ter?'' he asked quietly.
| "No."
| THAT the one is robber and the
other an adventures" DuncOmbe an
swered. This much is certainly true.
They have both left Runton House at
: moments notice and without takiag
leave of their host and hostess. Re-
| member. l never knew Phyllis Poyn-
ton. You did. Ask yourself whether
she is the sort of young person to OBJ
tain hospitality under false pretenses
! and then abuse ito associate herself
| in fraud with self confessed rob-
ber"
| The idea," Pelham said quietly, sis
| absurd
| While we are on the subject" Spen
| Ger remarked, drawing the cigarettes
| toward him. may | ask you few
| questions, Mr.. Pelham? For instance,
had Miss Poynton any relations in
| France"
| ->Ol " hllON letsSe,
swered. Il have known both her and
her brother for great many years,
and / never heard either of them men
ton any"
''Why did she go to Paris, thenP'
''To meet her brother"
"And why did he go abroadT
at was a within, l think-just de-
| 81 n tvi no.
fore he settled down to live the life OF
a country gentleman"
You believe that he had no other
reaSon?'
Il think l may go so far as to say
/ that l am sure of it." Pelham an
swered
Zone more question" Spencer added
intervening. But the question. remain
ed unasked. The butler had opened
the dining room door and was an
nOuncing Lord Runton.
Duncombe rose to his feet in sur
prise. For the moment sudden feal
drew the color from his cheeks. II,
looked apprehensively toward his un
| expected visitor Lord RuntOn, how
ever. showed no signs of any great dis
composure. He was wearing his ordi
nary dinner clothes and in reply I;
Duncombe's first question assured hin
that he had dined.
81 will try glass of your port, if
!, may, George" he declared. "Thanks!'
| The butler had wheeled chair up t.
the table for him and left the room
Lord Runton filed his glass and sen
the decanter round. Then he turned
! toward Spencer, to whom he had jus
been introduced
"Mr Spencer" he said, my visit to
night was mainly to you. / dare sa,
, you are aware that a somewhat un
pleasant thing has happened at m!
house. My people tell me that you
called there this morning and inquired
for Mr.. Fielding"
Spencer nodded.
"Quite true" he answered. ST called
but did not see him. He appears t.
have left somewhat hurriedly while
was waiting"
you did not even catch q glimpse o
him?''
mo"
you know Mr.. Fielding by sight,
presume"
81 have seen him In Paris once O
twice" Spencer answered.
"YOu will not think me impertinen
for asking you these questions. 1 an
sure" Lord Runton continued apollo
getically, "but could you describe Mr.
Fielding to meY'
Certainly" Spencer answered. "H
is tall and thin, wears glasses. wa
=, clean shaver, bald and limped little.
Lord Runton nodded.
THANK you," he said. 'T presum
e that your visit this morning was one o
f courtesy. You are acquainted with MI
f Fielding?"
e 81 have not that pleasure" Spence
s answered. IT am afraid I must con
TESS that my visit was purely one O
curiosity"
"Curiosityr' Lord Runton repeated
Exactly. Do you mind passing thos
:, excellent cigarettes Of yours. Dun
ell combe?'
Lord Runton hesitated for moment
FL He was conscious OF certain restrain
H.