Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-10

quiSe TOOK 1t from MIN ana rose.
81 will return" she said. you shall
be entirely satisfied"
She left him alone for nearly ten
minutes. She had scarcely left the
room when another visitor entered
The Vicomte de Bergillac. in a dark
brown suit and an apple green tie.
bowed to Duncombe and carefully Sc
lected the most comfortable chair in
his vicinity.
so you took my advice monsieur"
he remarked. helping himself to
cushion from another chair and plac-
| ing it behind his head.
Il admit it, Duncombe answered.
"On the whole, believe that it was
| very good advice"
would you" the vicomte murmured,
like another dose?"
II trust" Duncombe said, that there
| is no necessity"
The vicomte reflected.
"Why are you here?' he asked.
ITO see Miss Poynton"
"And again why?"
Duncombe smiled. The boys man.
ner was so devoid of impertinence that
he found it impossible to resent his
questions.
"WeIl,' he said, 81 came hoping to
bring Miss Poynton some good news.
l had information which led me seri-.
ously to doubt whether the body which
has been found in the Seine is really
her brothers."
The vcomte sat up as though he had
been shot
my friend" he said slowly, 81 take
some interest in you, but. upon my
word. begin to believe that you will
end your days in the morgue yourself.
AS you value your life don't tell any
one else what you have just told me.
trust that l am the first"
II have told the marquise." Dun
| rombe answered, land she has gone to
zee me-"
The vicomte's patent boot tapped the
, floor slowly.
"You have told the marquise," he re-
peated thoughtfully. "Stop! l must
, Think
There was n short silence, then the
vicomte looked up.
Every WELL" he said "Now listen.
Have you any confidence in me?"
Undoubtedly" Duncombe answered.
''The advice you gave me before was.
I know, good. 1t was confirmed few
hours following, and, as you know, /
followed it"
Then listen.' the yicomte said. 1.-THE
affair Poynton is in excellent hands.
The young lady will come TO no harm.
You are here, know, because you are
wilL''
"How" Duncombe asked.
by leaving Paris today"
Your advice" Duncombe said grim
ly, seems to lack variety"
The vicomte shrugged his shoulders
The other affair."" he said. lis still:
open. If l stepped to the telephone
here, you would be arrested within the
hour"
Cant you leave the riddles out and
talk so that an ordinary man can I'M
: derstand you for few minutes?" Dun
combe begged.
1T is exactly what remains impossi-
: ble,'' the vicomte answered smoothly.
But you know the old saying-you
= have doubtless something similar in
your own country-'It is from our
friends we suffer most Your pres
ence here, your-forgive me-some-
what clumsy attempts to solve this 'af-
faire Poynton,' are likely to be Cause
' of embarrassment to the young lady
, herself and to others. Apart from that,
it will certainly cost you your life"
"Without some shadow of an expla.
, nation" Duncombe said calmly. Il re.
, main where / am in case / can be of
!. assistance to Miss Poynton."
The young man shrugged his shout
ders and, sauntering to mirror, rear.
ranged his tie. Nine. lie Marquise en-.
tered.
"You, Henriv' she exclaimed.
He bowed low, with exaggerated
grace, and kissed the tips of her fin.
gers.
up he answered. "And for thi7
time with perfectly legitimate reason
, for my coming-a commission from my
uncle"
"L'affaire Poynton?"
"Exactly, dear cousin"
''But why" she asked. did they not
show you into my room?'
Il learnt that my friend Sir George
Duncombe was here, and I desired tt
see him." he rejoined.
|, She shrugged her dainty shoulders.
, "You will wait" she directed. Then
she turned to DuncomBc and handed
him sealed envelope
IF you please" she said, "will you
read that-new% >
He tore it omen and read the few
hasty lines. Then he looked up and
!, met the marquise's expectant gaze.
'MGdame,' he said slowly. does this
come from Miss Poynton CT her owl
= free will?
She laughed insolently.
Monsieur" she said, my guests are