There was a moment's silence. Pelham raised his head.
"If Lord Runton desires it, I will withdraw," he said slowly. "At the
same time I must confess that I, too, am interested in this matter. If
Lord Runton has no objection to my presence I should like to remain. My
discretion goes without saying."
Duncombe moved uneasily in his chair. His eyes sought Spencer's for
guidance, but found his head averted. Lord Runton raised his eyebrows
slightly at what he considered a somewhat vulgar curiosity, but his
reply was prompt.
"You are a friend of Duncombe's, Mr. Pelham," he said, "and that is
enough. I have to ask not only you, but all three of you, to consider
what I am going to tell you as absolutely confidential."
They all signified their assent. Lord Runton continued:--
"Mr. and Miss Fielding came to me with letters from my brother, and with
many convincing proofs of their identity. We none of us had the
slightest suspicion concerning them. Their behavior was exactly what it
should have been. Nothing about them excited remark in any way, except
the unusual number of telegrams and telephone messages which Mr.
Fielding was always receiving.
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