Eugene weekly guard., October 24, 1907, Image 8

King of
Diamonds. I
By LOUIS TRACY,
X al "Wins* ol tha Mamin/.'
“Tba Pillar al Light." Etc.
* ’ Copyright, 1ÜO4. by Edward J. CluJa
♦
CHAPTER XXI — (Continued.)
Instantly the fishermen saw that it
was a man, an absolutely naked man,
who had thus dropped from the sky.
They were amazed, very frightened
Indeed, but they readily hauled at the
dragging net and brought Philip near­
er the boat. Even at tills final stage of
his adventure be incurred a terrible
risk.
Unable to help himself in the least
degree and swallowing salt water rap­
idly now, ne rolled awuy inertly us tba
net rose under the energetic efforts of
IPs rescuers. There was grave danger
that he should drop but k into the
depths, uud theu he must sink like a
some.
Wearing their heavy sea boots, none
of the ftehennen, tliou :b e ich was an
expert swimmer, dare 1 to Jump into
the water. But the oarsman, being a
person of resource and reasoning rap
idly that not the most enthusiastic
salmon bailiff In England would pur-
aue him in such manner, grabbed a
boathook and caught Philip with it be­
neath the arm.
He only used the slight force needful
to support him until another could
grasp hlqj.
■’Then they lifted the half drowned
man on board, tu’-ned him on his fare
to permit the water to flow out of his
lungs and, instantly reversing him, be­
gan to raise his ellsiws and press them
against bls side« alternately.
Soon he breathed again, but he re­
mained unconscious, and a restored cir­
culation caused blood to flow freely
from the back of bin head.
Of course the man were voicing tbelr
jrorprtee throughout this unparalleled
experience.
“When Is lie?”
“Where did he coom fraeT’
“Nobbut a loony wad hne jumped off
yon crag.”
“He’s nenked as when lie was born."
At last one of them noticed his bro­
ken scalp. He pointed out the wound
to his companions.
“That was never dean by failin’ 1’ t'
n^ljter,” be said.
They agreed. The thing was toys-
terlously serious. Philip’s youth, his
nature. Ids delicate skin, the texture
of his hands, the cleanliness of bls
teeth and nails, were quick tokens to
the fisherman that something quite Is»-
yond the common run of ceuslde acci­
dents had taken place. The oarsman,
a man of much Intelligence, hit on un
explanation.
“He was swarmin’ doon t* cliff after
r birds," he cried. "Mehbe fotygraffin*
’em. I’ve beerd o’ slke doiu’s."
“Man alive,” cried* one of hie mates,
“he wouklu’t strip te t’ skin for that
Job.”
Tills was unanswerable. Not one
gave a thought to the invisible Grange
House.
They held a liasty consultation. One
man doffed bls Jersey for Philip’s bene­
fit and then they hastily covered him
with oilskin coat and overalls.
It waa now nearly dark, so they
ran out a marking buoy for their net
•bill led oars and pulled lustily to their
remote fishing hamlet three miler
away from the outlet of the river
which flowed through Scarsdale.
Arrived there, they carried Philip to
the house of one who wns the proud
owner of a “spare" lied.
And now it fresh difficulty arose. A
doctor and eke it policeman should lie
A messenger was dls-
■anuiKHiel
patched at once for the nearest medical
man. who lived u mile and a half
away, but the policeman, who dwelt
lH tlie village, wus u bird of another
eolor.
, Tlieae men were |s>achers, lawbreak­
ers. At various times they had all
lieen fined for Illegal fishing. The | h >-
llcemaii was of an inquiring turn of
mind. He might fall to understand the
mystery of the cliff, but he would most
certainly appreciate every detail of
their preaence tn that particular part
ot the sea which lapped Its base.
ft» they smoked and tallied ami tried
rouxh remedies until the doctor nr-
rived.
To him they told the exact truth, lie
passed no comment, examined his I"
tleut, cut away the hi Ir from the
scalp wound, stusik his liend over it.
bound it up. administered some stimu­
lant and sat down to await the return
ot cuuaclouaMM.
Put this was lang delayed. and when
at last Philip opened tils eyes be only
rallied sufficiently to sleep.
The doctor premised to come early
uext day and left.
Throughout Wednesday and Thur»
day Philip was purt'y delirious, wak­
ing at times to a vague consciousness
of his surreuudlngs, but mostly asking
vacantly for "Evelyn.”
Often I m * (ought with a person mimed
“Jocky Mason” and explained that
"Kir Philip” wks not In Yorkshire at
all
The wife of one of bls rescuers whs
arataluous In her attentions. Most for-
tiiuately, for these fisher folk were
very poor, that lure apraatl beneath the
cliff Inveigled an unprecedented num­
tier of salmon. so she could afford to
buy eggs and milk tn abundance. and
the doctor brought such medicines as
were needed.
Gradually Philip recovered until at 9
•'clock on Thursduy night be came In-
' to sudden and full use of hi« sense».
I Then the doctor was sent for urgent-
I ly. Philip Insisted on getting up at
| once. He was kept In bed almost by
main force.
With the doctor’s arrival there was a
further change. Here was an educated
man, who listener! attentively to his
patient’s story and did no* instantly
conclude that Iw was raving.
He helped, too, by his advice. It wee
utterly lmi><iralbie to send a telegram
to London ths* night. ?*> matter wh it
the sufferings of anxious friends coti-
cemlng him, they couM not be as-
suaged until the morning.
Yea. Ire would find money and
clothe«, accontpany him. If need be. on
the journey if he were able to travel
tomorrow -attend to alt l>lnga, in fn<4.
I in hie liehalf—for miiilojiaires are
scarce Mid* in aechided moorland dis­
tricts. But meanwhile he must take
a drink of milk and !>eef e«**ence, rest I
■ a little while, take this draft, in a
; small liottle indicated, .and sleep.
Rieep was quite essential. He would
awake in the morning very nitK'h bet­
ter. The knock on the head was not
so serious as It looked at first sight
Probably he would not even feel It
again if ho wore a soft cap for sorra
day«. Tlie broken skin was heallnj
nicely, and concussion of tbe brain bai
as many gradutlous as fever, which
ranges from a slight cold to Yellow
Jack.
In his case be was suffering from
two severe shocks, lait tbe crisis win
passed, and be was able, even now, tc
get up if it could serve any (»osslbk
purpose.
All this, save tbe promise of help,
the doctor said with his tongue lu hit
cheek He bad not tbe slightest tnten
tlon of permitting Philip to travel nex!
day. It was out of tbe question. Bet­
ter reason with him in the morning
and if needful bring bls friends tc
_y<>rkshlre rather than send him to Lon­
don.
i
But the police must be Informed at
once. It was more than likely tbe
criminals had left the Grange House
soon after tbe attempted murder. Yet,
Jf Philip did uot object, a policeman
should 1« summoned, and tike tale told
to him. The man should be warned tc
keep the «tory out of the papers.
The arrival of the constable at a late
hour created crmsternatlon In the
hon«£liold. But tlie doctor knew hl«
fJeople.
“Have no fear, Mrs. Verril,” he wills-1
pered to tbe fisherman's wife; "your ’
busband caught a fine fish when be |
drew Mr. Anson Into his net. He will:
uot need to poach salmon any more,”
The doctor sat by Philip’s bed while |
the policeman tirade clumsy notes of
that eveutfui Tuesday night's occur­
rences.
1’heu in bls turn be nmazed bls hear­
ers.
Ho described his encounter with an­
other I’hlllp Anson in toe highroad at
au hour when tire real personage of
that inns1 was unquestionably being
attended to by the doctor himself iu
tlie fisherman's cottage.
“Aye,” he suid iu bls broad York
ahlre dialect, "be was as like you, sir,,
as twea |>eaa. on'y, now that 1 see ye. -
he wasn't slke a—slke a gentleman as I
you, an' he talked wl' a queer catch in
his voice. Tntbar chap ’ud be Jocky
Maaon, 'cordin’ tv your dl«cri|rtlon, son
ft aeems to me 'at this 'ere Dr. WU-
llama, 'oo druV you frae r station,
ratrot ha' took yer chnbas an’ twl«te!
hi« feace te lake as mk'b Ilka you os he
could."
The doctor cut «bort further convert
ration. He insisted on hl« pattent seek
lng neat, but in response to Philip’s
urgent request be wrote a long tele­
gram. which he promised would be
handed in when tbe Rcaradnle tele­
graph office opened next morning.
And this was Philip's message to
avelyn:
I hav« suff»r«d detention «Inc« Tuesday
nlaht at the hand« of Jocky Maaon. who«,
name you will recollect, «nd another man.
unknown. 1 nm no« cared for by friend«
and recovartn» rapidly from Injuries re­
ceived In a «truaich*. I return to London
today. My only fear 1« that you must
havo endured terrible uncertainty If by
any chance you Imagine 1 1 was missing.
Tell Abingdon.
PHILIP ANSON.
Aud then followed bls address, cure
of tbe doctor.
"Is that all?' said Ausou's new found
friend.
Philip smiled feebly, for be was very
weuk.
"There te one matter, small in many
ways, but Important too. \ou might
add. ’I thqw you have uot lost Blue
At >m by till« mischance.”'
He sank back exhausted.
It was on tbe tip of tbe doctor’s
tongue to ask:
"What In the world te a blue atom?"
But lie forliore. The »leepin; potion
was tukim; effect, nnd he would not re
turd It. He subse*iu<*nti.v wrote a tele-
gram on his own account:
Mr. An«*n 1« ennvalcnctrg. but a J-'ur-
n«> today Is Imp *smb**>. A reu ?.MBuri:ig
nosaug« from you will auv« him from l n-
pallcncc and help hi« recovery. Hk has
b--«n dk-llrloua until laat ntght
Now all
he needs la rcat a.id freedom from worry.
Ills man waited ut Scarsdale peal-
vtlke until a reply cuiuo uext day.
Then be roue wl.h it to the village
where Philip wu« yet sieejuu; peace­
fully. Indeed, tlie clutter of hoofs
without aroused liiui. uad he «qs uel
his eyes to find the doctor sittiuz us
though he bad uever quitted bls side.
Evelyn'« message tuu«t have caused
much siM*euhitlon as to Its true algnUi-
cance In the mluds of those teletraphi**
uftii i.sls through whose bunds U pusaed.
It read:
Am abaolutsly bewildered Cannot help
fet Ing «are that n»w» received today
In that
really corn*-« from you.
who 1« It wh< has been wiring repel Medly
in your nam« from fltatt 'n
York?
Do not know what to
ti think. Am golf S
immediately to J Ablrurdon.
Pl«aae erad
inure information.
Ifl. Suspense unbeai walde*
EVELYN.
If ever there was need for action It
was needed now. Aaaon« strenuous
energy brought forth the full strength
vt his Indomitable wUL The pallor
t
fled from his cheeks, the dullness from
Lila eyes.
“Da. Boartb.” be cried, "you must not
keep me here In view of that telegram
from the woman 1 love. Believe me. 1
will t» worse, not better, If you force
me to remain inactive, chained almost
helpless tn tills village and miles away
from even a telegraph office. Help me
now. and you will never regret it 1
anil you"—
The doctor cut short his excited out­
burst.
"Very trail." he said. "Whatever
you do try and cease from troubling
yourself about circumstance» which a
few tiours will put right I must re­
turn to my dispensary for one hour.
Then I will come for you. bring some
c bribes and the necessary money, and
we will leave Scarsdale for York at
2:30 p. m. That is the best I can prom­
ise. It must satisfy you.”
He gave hasty directions as to his
patient’s food and left him.
Another telegram arrived, with it the
policeman, in the dogcart of the Fox
and Hounds inn.
Abingdon went to Devonshire yester­
day.
His wife says h« suspected that
sorrv-thlng had gone wrong,
Unhappily
we do not know his address but he wires
that ho Is not to be expected home today,
Do ask Dr. Scarth to send further news
If unable yourself.
EVELYN.
Thilip hesitated to l>e explicit as to
tlie real nature of the outrage inflicted
on him by Jocky Mason and bls un-
known accomplice. He hastily deter­
mined that the best assurance be could
give to the distracted girl was one of
Ids immediate departure from the vil-
lage.
The policeman helped him as to local
Information, and he wrote the follow-
lug:
"Is there a man staying here who
represents that his name is Philip Aa-
souY’
The question was unusual In its form,
disturbing in its innuendo. The man
who asked It was pale, with unnatural­
ly brilliant brown eyes, a gentleman In
manner, but attired In ill fitting gar
menu, and tsruoatb his tweed cap be
wore a surgical bandage.
And Philip Anson, the millionaire, at
whom he spoke thus contemptuously,
was staying in the hotel and paying
for its beat rooms.
But the manager was [>erfectly civil,
Tbe presence of Dr. Hearth, a reputa-
ble looking stranger, gave evidence
that something Important waa afoot
Mr. Anson was in bis rooms at the
moment. Their names would be sent
up.
Dr. Scarth. quick to appreciate the
difficulties of tbe situation, intervened
quietly.
"Is he alone?”
"Yes.”
“Then It will be better if you accom­
pany us In person. An unpleasant mat­
I
ter can he arranged without undue
publicity.”
This was alarming. The manager
went with them Instantly. They paus­
ed at the door Indicated.
“Come with me,” sai 1 Philip, turning
the handle without knocking.
Grenier, intent on the perusal of a
letter he had just written, looked Uf
quickly.
He was face to face with Philip An*
son.
rnAPTEP* XXII.
IIE one man stood, the other sat.
gazing at each other In a si­
lence that was thrilling.
Dr. Hearth and the hotel man-
Leaving Scarsdale at 2:30 p. m. Pass­
ing through Multon at 4 o'clock and reach ager entered noiselessly aqd closed the
York 6:10.
Dr. Scarth permit« Journey door behind them.
Grenier, ndroll
and accompanies me. Send apy further I
messages care of respective station mas­ scoundrel that be was, was t»ereft ot
II«
ters prior to hours named. Accept state­ speech, of tbe power to move.
ment Implicitly that I will reach London harbored no delusions.
Tills was lie
tonight. Will wire you from York cer­ ghost coming to trouble bls soul tn
tain, earlier If necessary As for Identity,
It was Philip Anson
you will recall May 15. Hyde park, near broad daylight.
Stanhope gate, 4 o'clock.
bjmself, alive and lu Dill possession of
Evelyn and he alone knew that at bs senses, a more terrible apparition'
that spot on the day and hour named than any visitor from beyond the
grave.
His presence In that room
they became engaged.
The policeman valiantly lent the few meant penal servitude for life for Vic­
shillings necessary, and the sturdy tor Grenier, a prison cel) instead of
horse from the I’ox and Hounds tore i palatial chambers, bread and skilly in
place of Carlton luncheons.
back to Scarsdale.
No wonder the scoundrel was dumb,
But the constable was of additional
value, His researches in Scarsdale that his tongue was dry. He went
provided a fairly accurate history and cold all over, and his eyes swam.
Philip advanced toward him. Grenier
¡Jescriptlop pf the two denizens of the
could not move. He was glued to his
Grange House.
rtilllp himself had, of course, seen chair.
"Who are you?” said Anson sternly.
“Dr. Williams" In broad daylight and
No answer. As yet the acute brnin
undisguised—not yet could he remem­
ber where be beard that smooth refused to work. Lost—ruined—no es­
tongued voice. Jocky Mason he only cape—were the vague ideas that jos­
pictured hazily after the lapse of years, tled each-other In chaos.
"Can you not speak? Who are you
bet tbe policeman’s details of his per­
sonal upitearance coincided exactly that dares to usurp my name after
with Philip’s recollection, allowing for striving to mnrder me?"
No answer. The shifty eyes—tbe
age and tbe hardships of convict life.
At last came the doctor with a va­ eves of a detected pickpocket—wander­
ed stupidly from Philip’s set face to
lise.
“I am sorry,” he laughed, “but all the that of the i>erplexed hotel manager
money I can muster at such abort no­ and tbe gravely amused doctor.
Philip never used strong language,
tice Is £12.”
“I began life once before with three but he was greatly tempted at that
moment.
halfpence,” was the cheery reply.
’’Confound you!” he shouted. "Why
TT h * few Inhabitants of tbe hamlet
gathered to see them off. and the fish­ don’t you answer me?”
"I—my name is Philip Anson. Tbe
erman’s wtfe was moved to screw ber
apron Into ber eyes when Philip shook manager- the—bank.”
As a spent fox will valnly try the
hands wttb ber. saying that abe would
last despairing device of climbing a
see him again In a few days.
"Eh, but he’s a bonny lad," wm her tree in full sight of the hounds, so dM
verdict. ""Twas a fair sham* te treat Victor Grenier evolve the desperate
scheme that perhaps — perhaps — be
him son.”
At Rcaradale and at Malton again might carry out a feeble pretense of
fame loving words from Evelyn. Now self assertion.
If only he could get away Into the
she knew who It was wuo telegraphed
crowded station. Into the streets, sltnk
to tier.
And the mysterious Philip Anson at Into obscurity while the chase swept
past, he might yet endeavor to escape.
York remained dumb.
“You Philip Anson! You vile Im­
"Tbe wretch!” «he said to her moth­
er. "To dare to open my letter and postor! 1 am sorely Inclined to wring
your ueck!”
send me Impudent replies:"
»lore than once she thought of going I rhlllp dime nearer. In sheer fright
to York to meet ber lover, but she wlse- lest the other might Rive effect to his
words Grenier again backed his chair
violently. It caught against a thick
rug. and he fell headlong. For an in­
stant they all thought he had hurt
himself seriously.
Tbe doctor and manager ran to pick
him up. but he rose to his knees and
whined:
“1 will tell everything, I mean, there
1« some mistake. Lock at my letters.
my l*ank books. They are I’hlllp An­
son’s. Indeed, there is e mistake.”
On the table were many documents
an*l a p!le of bank notes. Everything
was lu order, neatly pinned anil dock­
eted. A number of telegrams, of which
tbe topmost was signed “Evelyn.”
cam ht I hLlp’s eye. He took them up.
Not only were his lietrothed’s tnes-
sc_-es preserved, but copies of Gre­
nier’s replies were Inserted in their
pro; er sequence.
And Evelyn’s letters, too. lay l*efore
him. He flushed with an rer as be real.
“Ob.” he criel in a suddeu blaze, "if
1 talk with this scoundrel I shall do
him an injury. Send for the police,
They will know how to deal with him.”
The mere mention of the police gal
vanized Grenier Into the activity of a
wildcat. He ha*l risen to hts feet aud
was standing limply between the doc­
tor aud manager when that bated worj
elect rifled him.
With one spring he was free of them,
ly decided agdust this course. Mr.
Ablug.lou was out of town, aud I’hiiip rushing frantically to tbe door. After
might need some one he cot:l,l trust to UUu went all three, the manager lead­
ing.
obey his instructions In Laandon.
Greater tore tbe door open and got
At teu uiluutes ¡Mist 5 Anson aud Dr.
outside. It was a boiwiess attempt He
Scarth urn«-d lu York.
A luug discourse lu the train gave would be stopjied by hotel porters at
them a plau. They would uot appeal tbe foot of tbe stairs by tbe manager's
at once to the |>olice. Better clear th-» hud voiced order. Yet he raced for
mist that hid events lietore the aid of dear lil>erty. trusting blindly to fate.
And fate met him more than half­
the law was Invoked There were two
of them, and the assistance of the ho­ way.
A tall tuau coming upstairs wttb a
tel peopls could be obtained if neew-
page boy encountered Grenier flying
sury.
They hurried first to the station mas­ downward. He grabbed him in a
ter's offi*e Anything for Aus. n? Ye«. clutch of Iron and erted sardonically:
"No. you don’t! A word with me
Duly a few words of entreaty from
first If tbe devil was at your heels!”
Evelyn to avoid further risk.
Intent on his prize, he paid no heed
Then to tba hotel. They sought tbe
to others.
natugor.
1
T
Jocky Mason would commit
“Which la his room?’ he said to me ed with Langdon, whose relations'll.- less they captured him
with
Sir
Philip
and
Lady
Morland
now
boy
fnge, and then the whole
1 Sul*ter~
"No. 41. sir.” stammered the young­ first became known to Philip.
leak out.
KorJ ««gffi
He
was
quite
fair
to
Grenier,
giving
ster. who thought that millionaires
It ended by Philip Balal_ f.
should Ire treated with more ceremony him full credit for having stopped him for at tbe bottom of b g
«*».
than this wolf eyed stranger bestowed more than once from mnsderiivg Philip don was touched by m Z;
when
opportunities
presented
tbem-
on tbe great Mr. Anaon.
8VjrJ
M^ves. He dealt ruthlessly with the tUoroughjraced ruffian as i,e
“Go on. then! I’ll trrfng him!”
They re-entered No.
"It te Jocky Mason." murmured Phil­ I scene In tbe Grange House, even smil­ were sitting aa they were left o
ip to Dr. Scarth. With the manager ing dreadfully as be described Gre was not even smoking The'.»'?111'*
they had baited In the corridor. Ma­ liter’s aqueamlshnejs over the auggva- the Blue Atom had deem? ! “r of
son strode past tbetn. with eye« only ttec that Philip's face sboukl be bat- his vanity.
•' Wout4»<t
for tire rxrwrffing Grenier, who wa« fared into a sbapelees mare.
Philip
walked
strnt-ht
to
Masrm
Then followed his journey to Ixm
making piteou« appeals to be set free.
took him t»y the sb mider.
“
don.
tbe
meeting
with
bls
two
sons
at
Tbo stronger ruffian threw his con­
"Now. listen to me,” he suU
Southwark
police
station
and
the
tor
federate into room 11 and was about
you one crack on the bea,i
*
to clore the door when be saw Philip, I turlng knowledge, coming to * late that lutve given me one. Shall we
I'**
I be had slain the benefactor of b!» wifi
say
that
cto e behind him.
accounts are squared?”
“J
Ke steppe 1 back a pace, mute, rigM. I and children,
“
Do
you
mean
it.
sir?
”
overwhelming
pa
C
o«
seeking with glarlug eyes to learn j There was an
"Yes. absolutely.”
whether or not he was the victim of in his recital of t’ e boys’ kindness to
"Then a!l 1 can say is this ,lr. j*
I him. He gave n lurid picture of hi«
hallucination.
The feelings during the previous night a« tug the rest of my life i'll mak.
Philip knew him Instrntly.
tire of the chunce you hare ch-./’04
voice he beard on the stair«, the p's he listened to their praises of Phi!!,"
bless vou for the boy»' sake
¡iceman'« rough bnt accurr.t? picture, Anson and their pleasant plans for God
than my own.”
e ®or%’
tlie ror'-olleetl rn of tbe captive cf 'bn- their father's future. II*' only wino»-'-
“And you.” went on Phllln
For'i Mews, a'l combined to te'l h!"i once, and that was nt tbe remem­
the disconaolate Grenic ' r, ;- ' 3f
that lr. truth Jocky Mason stood be- brance of tbe parting a few hours ngo. t>
■"•Hl yW|
And he finished by a pitiful appeal leave En-rland and make a frwi* j start*
f rr* **'m.
In
a
new
land?
You
are
youn:
More than tb«t. th» would he mnr- for mercy, not for himself, but for
'» enoncij
and clever enough In some
c "*r handled Isis accomnl’»» lu .a way Grenier.
r,'spectj to
earn
an
honest
living.
”
"I put the whole thing Into h’-i mind
that pro— !:<’J interesting develop­
ments.
Now. perchan •€. tbe troth Mr. Anson," he said. "He would never ' "I will. sir. I swear It.”
Th? rtter collapse of his castle S
might be ascertained. Escapa was out have thought of robbing you tut for
me Let him go: make him lew the Spain bod «ottered h!m. The trates <,f
of the question for either of them. Th«
Portland were yawning c— for kt,,.
manager's cry bad brought four strouj country. He will never trouble yon and the goodness of the °l*n
maa
again.
As
for
me,
when
I
go
from
this
porters pellmel) to tbe sirot.
I wronged bad closed them u his f
room
I
walk
to
my
death.
You
can't
"You aud I will enter,” said Anson
Never again would he
their
to Dr. Scarth. "You.” to the manager atop me. I will not Lay hands on you, tront if he coul.l help it.
k m
“might kindly remain here with you: I promise, but not al* ihe men in wait­
He
readily
gave
every
assistant,
k
there
outside
can
hold
me
buck,
in
ing
minutes.
”
men for a few
five minutes or less 1 will be dead, it the brief investigation that follow“
"Shall I summon tl>e police?”
“Not yet I want to clear matter« will be an accident. No one will be the Mr. Abingdon looke 1 on askance u b*
somewhat. They are dreadfully tan­ wiser, and my boys will be spared the wrote checks for LXOOo and £5 x » ju
Knowledge that their father tried to the York and Led« bar!:« re« ^ti>
gled.”
a
kill
tbe man to whom they owe every- ly. but eveu Philip himself
Mason, spellbound, but fearless as
astonished latich when he «aw hi« ot
ever, beard the dead man speak, saw
This amazing stipulation, backed up signature written with quiet certzlntr
him move. He could not refuse the
■nd accuracy.
v
evidence of eyes and ears. As Philip by a fearless threat, l>e it noticed,
“
Oh.
that's
nothing!"
cried
Grenl»
drew
an
indignant
protest
from
Mr.
advanced into the room the giant put
in momentary elation. "I took in y.
his hands wildly to bls bead and sob­ Abingdon. Philip said nothing.
“Oh. very well!” growled Mason. Abingdon and sent a complete lettte
bed brokenly:
to the London bank,”
"Thank God! Thank God! For my "There is another way."
"You did not take me in." gmw!ej
His right hand diveil into a pocket,
boys' sake, not for mine!”
ills extraordinary attitude, his no and Dr. Scarth again fingered bis re- Abingdon. "You made one fatal tn*
take.”
less extraordinary words, amazed at vol ver.
“And what was that, sir*'
But Philip cried Imperiously;
least two of his bearers. Grenier, ren­
"You alluded to the annual report nt
"Sit still. Mason. I have heard all
dered callous now by Bbeer hopeless­
ness, was pouring out some brandy that you have to say. Be quiet I tell the ‘home.’ Every one connected with
and lighting a cigarette. The revul­ you. Wait until I refuse your request" that establishment, from the fount*
"My dear boy.” interrupted Mr. down to the latest office lioy. InvarU-
sion of feeling at the sight of Mason
had calme l him. He would make the Abingdon, who knew Philip’s generous bl.v calls it the 'Mary Anson hot«.’
most of the few minutes that were left Impulses, "you will never think of con­ Mr. Anson would never write of It i»
other terms."
doning"—
before he was handcuffed
Grenier was again abashed.
"Forgive me! Let me carry matters
Dr. Scarth took tbe precaution of
"Have you any money la your port-
locking tbe door and putting the key a stage further. Now you, Grenier.
et?” said Philip when th* forger had
Into bls pocket It is doubtful if he What have you to say?”
would have done this had he known
“Very little!” was the cool response. accounted far every farthing.
For one appro ¡able Instant Grealr
Mason's violent character. But. un­ "My excellent friend has made a clean
known to Philip, he carried a revolver, breast of everything. You didn’t die hesitated. Then i>e flushed. Ha Lad
which he whipped forth when Grenier and so spoiled tbe finest coup that ever resisted temptation.
"Yes." he said; “plenty. Lang!»
bolted and as rapidly concealed when man dreamed of. I had no difficulty in
concocting the requisite epistles from supplied me with funds."
It was not needed.
"IIow much?"
"You did not kill me. you see.” said Sir Philip and Lady Morland. Your
"Two hundred and fifty pounds. I
rhlllp. sinking into a chair, for the ex­ London bank accepted my signature
citement was lteglnulng to tell on him. with touching confidence. 1 have open­ have over seventy left."
“I will arrang? matters with k'n.
Tbe big man slowly dropped his ed two accounts in your name, one in
hands. Ills prominent eyes seemed to York and one In Leeds. £5,000 each. Come ta my West End office oeit Moo-
be fascinated by the sight of one This morning I heard from London dny. and yau will be g’ven sufficient
whom be threw apparently lifeless in­ that £150,000 of your consols had been to keep you from poverty and mtn*
to tbe sea.
realised and placed to your current ac­ until you find your feet In Cantdi.
"I could lick your boots,” be said count. Just to be feeling tbe pulse of Remember, you sal) on Wednesday”
“No fear of any failure on my put.
thickly.
tbe local money market I drew out
The queer idea sounded ludterous. £2.000 today. It is there In notes on the sir. I can hardly credit my tool-nr.
Yet it conveyed a good deal. It smack­ tahle. You will also find tbe check what I want to say La, I can nene
ed of remorse, repentance.
books and pass books in perfect order. i thank you sufficiently.”
“Pay Mason's fare to London. Bat­
"T(41 m«,” began Philip, but a loud Oh. by the way, I told your man Green
knocking without interrupted him.
to <*p«i your safe nnd send me your ter stay with him. His son« aiay bat»
"Who is there?" said Dr. Soarth.
mysterious portmanteau. Jt is in my ■ good Influence on you too.”
Mason rose heavily.
"Abingdon. I wwtt to see Mr. An­ bedroom. That is all. I think. I am
“Ill find him a job. sir. He cm pa*
son," was tbe reply in a voice that sorry If I worried the young lady"—
Philip hailed joyfully.
"You unutterable scamp!” cried your bag.”
Mr. Abingdon was admitted. His Philip.
Tlie words recalled to Philip ’!*
astonishment was extreme at tbe na
"Well, I bad to keep ber qnlet, you knowledge of his lncongruou« «tflff.
ture of the gathering, but he Instantly know. .4« It was, she susjiected me. Soon be wore bls own clothes. II* re­
noticed Philip's wan appearance and I suppose my messages hadn’t the fused to allow Grenier to divert t.:.
the bandage on his bead.
proper ring in them. And—what the self of the garments be wore, but b*
"My dear, dear boy,” he cried, "what deuce is a blue atom ?”
wa^s glad to see bls old watch npu
has happened ?’
Dr. Scarth was even more interested t Dr. Scarth hade them farewell mi
f returned to Scarsdale by tlie last train
Philip told him briefly. As the ex­ than ever. If possible.
magistrate's glance rested on Mason
Philip and Abingdon arrived in Ua-
"Blue Atom! Blue Atom is a nobler
■nd Grenier it became very chilly. It specimen of a dog than yourself. He do i at 2:15 a. m. On the plnttora. s-
brought Portland prison near to the Is a prize toy Pomeranian. You are a compon ed l y her mother v-ns F**r
She wept all the way to Monnt rtwt.
soul of one of them. He poured out mongrel.”
more spirit
Grenier for an Instant grew confus­ where Philip would le accomai«!«*’
The respite given by Mr. Abingdon’s ed again. ile sighed deeply.
for the night. She oriel agiln ' '■>
arrival gave Mason time to focus bis
"A dog!” he murmured. "A blue»she saw his poor wounded head. ■
thoughts. The man had lived in an in­ Pomeranian! Who would have guess­ she laughed through her tenrs * '■
ferno since he slipped away from his ed itr
she ran off to fetch a very »mLI«“
»«•ns that morning on a plea of urgent
ver" sleejTy dog. with h’iix blut
Philip turned to Mason.
business in order to catch a fast train
"If I leave you here alone with this falling In zhagg. masse« over bi*fl*
for York in the afternoon.
man. Grenier, will you keep him out of ar. 1 curling wonderfully liver bk iff
He knew that Grenier would make mischief?"
body.
the Station hotel his headquarters, and
Jocky pave his associate a glance
•
•
•
•
•
• ’
his sole desire was to stop that enter­ which caused that worthy to sit down
Mr. James Crichton Lanz’.co
prising rogue from committing further •uddeuly.
peraLively summoned to
crimes which might be damaging to
“And yourself? Promise that yon given such a lecture by Mr AWiwJ
Anson's estate and disastrous to the will remain as you are until I return?” that he so far abandoned th« w*
peace of mind of the girl he loved.
“I promise.”
hl< ways as to strive tn forfi
In no way did he hold Grenier re­
Anson le 1 his friends from the room. sue !i a person as Evelyn Atbcnfl
ap ■ndble for urging him to commit Ke thanked the mana-rer for tlie as-
mnrder. The journey to York was un­ slstrnce l-.e h.-1 g’ven and told him the
Tbe ex-mnglstrnte had se*n &•
dertaken In the first place to save Phil­ affair rn’~ht I-» arranged without po­ Pcvcn’tilre and was so skeptic»
,
ip's memory from the slur which was lice interf. ■ence.
sta'eiuent« concerning the "
tnfi tided to l>e cast upon it and second­ Ix-rg and earnestly did he confer
f r PMMp and
'?*_
ly to afford n plausible pretext for a with Mr All:-r-'op. It was n serious he traveled direct to York via G
platform accident whereby his own thin™ to let t’.-e«e men off scot free.
ter and Birmingham to • l''nr
life should le dashed out of him by an Gren*c~'s <•"’» was worse in a sense Philip In persc.i a mystefJ J**' .
engine.
than that of Mason.
t . ore deuse by tbe curious
He would stumble over .« barrow,
Tin—e were throe banks Involved, telegram he received in
fall be’p!es»!y In front of an incoming ■and fo-ir-rv tn a l ank Is a crime not
One day in August the >•"’
train aad end hl« career far from Lan­ to I-e forgiven. There was a dubious dropped anchor off tlie lnrksb
don. far from Inquiry an! publlsLe.1 wt - out Phllln might accept respon- not far from the gaunt cliff 00
j
report« which might t>e Injurious ta «I'-'lity f — Grenier's transactions. If
stood Grange House.
. * jp.
bls sons.
the London bank accepted Grenier’s
Dr. Scarth entertained Mt- ’ ., .
It might perhaps be necessary to use s,gnn*nre for his, surely the local In-
Anson
in his house for
forcible means to persuade Grenier to stlt”tions would accept his for Gre-
some of the men were all
abandon hts tactic«. They would be nler's.
They came back full of a ' •
forthcoi..:t.g. He gave earnest of that
Mr. Abingdon was wroth at the bare had heard how the sklpi*r J
on tlie stairs.
suggestion.
with a mishap on the bix I"
Of course the dlscoverv that Philip
"You will be forging your own s’uth’ard. was rescued by ,hr**
Brad gave a fr,«h direction to his ¡.t-.r name." he protested vehemently.
men and had l*ought for ear.
poee. A great load of guilt was lifted
“Very well, then. He shall write
• _
off tm conscience, but the ro-Ption re­ checks payable to self or order, in­ freehold of the bouse In
Mved. besides presenting them
ma ued little less serious personally.
dorse them, and 1 will pay them Into with a fine smack.
Ro when at last be began to tell his my account”
“He’s a rare g>
story there was a brutal directness a
”1 dare not approve of any such pro­
doubt abort that"
rough eloquence, that silenced all ques­ cedure.”
tioning.
So Philip, though soiely tried, again rotor, "an’ of cou
At first bls hearers thought be was labnred his arguments that the trial of d > that sort o' thir
rambling nnd Incoherent as be describ­ Grenier would lie a cause celebre in Diamond«.
-
nf r*
.
"He’s more than tbe Kh><
ed his release from jail, his visit to which hLs, An.«<in’s, name would be un­
the Mary Anson bomc. hie long and pleasantly prominent. Evelyn would monds; he « the King cf
frulUcM search for the lost boys
be drawn Into it and Abingdon him­ rarved a gigantic, hr* l'''1
ne told of bis meeting wttb Grenier self There would l*e columns of sen st bo listened to the yam* 00*
of tbe shore going tuen.
tbe espiouar* ffiey both practiced on' satten In tbe newspapers.
“You're known bio
Anauiu movement» and th. ¡*,t batch- Jduraorar it waa qjptt c«ruu» thaj
(Continued on
11