Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-15

mad taken the chair next to them and
was evidently prepared to listen to all
that was said. His clothes and bear
ing and quiet, unobtrusive manners all
seemed to suggest truthfully enough
/ his possible identity-an English de.
tective from an advertised office Dun
combe smiled as he realized the almost
pitiful inadequacy of such methods.
"Come, Andrew" he said, turning to
/ his friend, you have small griev-
| ance against me. and you think you
have Il great one"
"a small grievance" Andrew MUIR
INJURED softly. THANK you, Dun
combe"
go on, then. State it." Duncombe
declared. Let me hear what is in
| your mind"
Andrew raised his brows slowly
Twice he seemed re speak. but at the
last moment remained silent He was
| obviously struggling tG control himself.
'There is this in my mind against
! you. Duncombe," he said finally: Il
| sent for you as a friend. You accept
ed charge from me as my friend, and
| you betrayed me-"
| Duncombe shook his head.
"Listen, Andrew" he said. 81 want
/ to remind you again of what l said
! just now. / warned you. No. don't in
! terrupt. 1t may have sounded like non,
sense to you. l meant every word |
, said / honestly tried to make you IN
| derstand. ! came here. l risked many
, things. failed. l returned to Eng,
land. Up til then you had nothing to
complain of Then heaven knows
why. but the very girl whom had
! gone to Paris TO seek came to RuntOu
| in the guise at least of an adven,
! turess.
Andrew lifted his head quickly.
you admit it at last. then?" he
! cried.
Eyes, / admit it now" Duncombe
, agreed
"You lied to me thereto me who
! had no eyes, who trusted you. What
| was that but betrayal, rank iuexcus.
, able betrayal"
Listen, Andrew" Duhcombe said
"She told me that she was not Phyllis
| Poynton. 1t was enough fer me.
! disregarded my CONVICTIONS Her word
! was my law. She said that she was
! not Phyllis Poynton. and to me she
never was Phyllis Poyntan. She was
afraid of you. and | helped her To
I avoid you. ] admit It. 1t is the extert
of my failing in our friendship. and
f, you We're warued."
y "And nowf'
81 am here now" Duncombe said. a
little sadly. ''hecauSe ] love her and
because 7 cannot keep away But size
will not see me, and am no nearer
solving the mystery than ever. On the
contrary, | know that am in danger
here. 1t is possible that | may be
driven to leave Paris tonight"
'Ynu know where she is nowr'
ayes"
5 Andrew leaned suddenly over, and
his grip was on Duncombe's shoulder
: like Il wise.
"Then. by God, you shall tell me- he
said fiercely. Don't you know. nan
that Guy has been found in tAe Seine
, robbed and drugged aud murdered
l without a doubt2 DO you want me to
wait while something Of the same sort
happens to her: You shall tell ma
where she is. Duncombe. l say tina,
! you shall tell me-
: Duncombe besitated
J "You can do no more than havs
DONE" he said.
Then at least 7 will do as much.
| Andrew answered al am her oldes
: friend. and I have claims upon bel
which you never could have Now tina
! she Is in this terrible troubl. my place
Y is by her side. r.
= lone moment Andrew" Duncombs
' interrupted Are you sure that 1t wa:
Guy Poynton who was found in thu
SelneT The height was given as fv'
feet nine, and Guy Poyntor was ovel
). six feet"
"You should read the papers," An
I drew answered shortly He was 'den
7 titled by his sister"
q 1.-THE papers said So" Duncombe an
swered hesitatingly. but
Look here" Andrew interrupted ''
q have had enough OF this playing wit!
o facts. You have grown, too compile,
about this business altogether Dun
= combe. Give me Phyllis Poynton's ad
dress
j.. "You shall have it," Duncombe Al
- swered. taking leaf from his pocket
book and writing II dou't think tina
1t will be any good to you thinl
that II Is more likely to lead you int
, trouble. Miss Poynton is with th
=. MARQUIS and MaruuiSe de ST Etho
: They are of the first nobility IN France
Their position as people of honor ant
4 circumstance appears undoubted. Blu
nevertheless If you are allowed to Sc
G her shall! be surprised"
If The hall porter approached them. ha
:. in hand.
,e "a lady to see monsieur" he an
n nounced to Andrew,
If Andrew rose aud took his compan
y.