Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-01


ed to Duncombe.
MY errand is so unusual and the
hour so extraordinary" he said, that
/ thought it would be better for Ches-
tow to write you line or two VIII
you please read it?'
DuncOmbe tore open the envelope.
Chestow. Wednesday Evening.
My Dear Duncombe-My friend De st.
Ethol tells me that he Is Obliged at great
personal Inconvenience to execute a com
mission for a friend which involves a
somewhat unceremonious call upon you
tonight. He desires me. therefore. to
send you these few lines. The Marquis
F., de st. Ethol and his wife among my
/ Oldest friends. 1t gives me great pleasure
! to vouch for them both in every way
! Yours sincerely, CHESTOW.
: 1.-THE letter. I am afraid" the mar
quis said, smiling. does little to sat
isfy your curiosity. Permit me to ex-
plain my errand in a few words"
Certainly" Duncombe interrupted.
But won't you take something? l am
glad to see that Spencer is looking aft
er your wife,
| The marquise had raised her veil
and was leaning back in q chair. with
a sandwich poised in the fingers of one
hand and 4 glass of burgundy in the
other. She was looking Il little less
bored and was chatting gayly to Spen-
Ger. whose French was equal to her
| own.
II thank you very much" the mar
quis said. Il will not take anything to
drink, but if you have cigarettes All,
thankSr'
He lit one and sat on the arm of an
easy chair
"The facts are these" he said Il
have Il great friend in Paris who,
knowing that l was at Chestow and
returning to France tomorrow, has, |
fear | must say, taken some advantage
Of my good nature. am asked to call
here and escort home to her friends
young lady who. / understand. is for
the moment Il guest under your roof.
NJ friend. I must say. telegraphs in a
most mysterious manner, but he is evil
IDENTIFY very anxious that we should
accede to his request. Our appearance
here at this time of night admit Is
most unjuStifiable. bat what were we
to do? 1t is absolutely necessary for
my wife to catch the go from Char
ing Cross tomorrow. | hope that my
friend will some day appreciate my
devotion. To come round by your
house have had to borrow a carriage
from my friend Cllestow We shall
r have a drive to Norwich and catch a
train from there to London in the small
) tours of the morning. presume the
, Young lady is here?"
1.-The young lady is here" Duncombe
answered. May l inquire the ma lie
of the friend to whom you are asked
to take herr"
The marquis yawned slightly. He,
too. seemed weary.
My dear Sir George" he said. 81
trust that you will appreciate my posi-
ton in this matter. | do not even know
tie young lady's name. My eccentric
friend in his telegram, which occupied
four forms, most specially insisted that
l should ask or answer no questions
concerning her.
You are not aware. then, of the cir
cumstances which led to her comine
here?" Duncombe asked.
81 am utterly ignorant of them" The
marquis answered, Il am constrained
to remain so.''
"You no doubt have some message
for her." Duncombe said. Her posi-
ton here is little peculiar. She ma,
desire some sort of information as t,
= her destination"
The marquis knocked the ash off hi
cigarette.
"If you will produce the young lady,
!, he said Il think that you will find he
: prepared to come with us without ask
ing any questions"
Duncombe threw open the doc
which led into the inner room. TIL
: girl stepped forward as far as tn
threshold and looked out upon them.
This is the Marquis and the Maj
quise de st. Ethol," Duncombe said t
her. "They have brought me lette
from the Duke of Chestow, and the.
! have come to take you back to France.
4 The girl looked fixedly for momen
at the marquise. If any word or sigl
T passed between them it escaped Dun
!. combe. Phyllis was content, however
to ask no questions.
II am quite ready" she said calmly.
The marquise rose.
"Your luggage can be sent on" sh
! remarked.
Duncombe approached Phyllis an,
stood by her side.
"These people," he said, twill no
tell me where they are taking you to
Are you content to go?"
III IT oI,o
You wish me to give YOU
IF you please" she interrupted.
He turned toward the door.
II have something belonging to Mis-
ITO my guest" he said. 'in my owl
room. If you will excuse me for
moment will fetch it."
He returned with the sealed en-
velope which she had given him ant
which he placed in her hands. He car
ried also fur coat and an armful O
wraps
you must take these" he declared