The Penn's Grove record., 1883-10-06

bht0AnCoo3 bOb FAolbO0 NhO NftAO
apothecary, as the man most likely
to know the general facts about his
neighbors.
"Would you be kind enough to
answer a stranger in the city a few
questions ?" / said to the dispenser of
medicines.
Proceed, " he replied looking curious
ly at me.
"Do, you know a gentleman by the
name of Horace Granger 2"
81 do"
what is his business 2"
"He i5 a broker"
sis he reputed wealthy ?"
"He is"
HAS he afamily ?"
ga wife and daughter"
about what age would you judge
him to be ?'
"About So"
sis Mr.. Granger now at home 2"
81 cannot say. L have not seen him
for more than a week.
rs his daughter at home 2"
81 think not. ] think she is away at
a boarding. school"
"Pardon me, sir If / seem too in
quisitive," said | !; but | have a reas on
Beyond mere curiosity for all the ques-
tions I ask, and some time, if not just
as this moment, you shall know all.
Could you tell me if he is on good terms
with his wife 2n
TIA % he said with a start.
is this some scandal for a law court
to which I may be called as a wit
less ?n
"No, sir. On my honor, no use of
your name shall be made in connection
with any information you may give me. y
well, then," he answered, with a
peculiar smile, sit is rumored-mind
you, | only say that it is rumored-that
he is jealous of a certain gentleman of
whom he has no reason to be, and that
he has all confidence in one who may
yet turn out to be a treacherous william. -
This was becoming very interesting
to me.
"May 1 venture to ask the name of
this second party 2" :
"Well, sir, as you are a stranger to
me,n replied the druggist, II will not
mention any names, but if you should
ever happen to have business with the
head clerk of Horace Granger it is my
opinion you will be within a hundred
miles of the party
"Thank you," l said, feeling now
pretty sure of my course.
After some further questions | left
the ~apothecary and repaired to the office
of Horace Granger, the street and num-
Der of which | had a%scertained.
L found a tall, dark, muscular, sinis-
ter-looking clerk, about 80 years of age,
standing at a desk behind a counter.
SIS MI. Granger in ?" / asked.
"No," vas the curt reply.
"Will he be in soon !?
Don't know
HAS he been in to. day ?"
"Can't say"
"Was he in yesterday ?"
"Can't say
"Wil he EVER be in again ~
The man started and looked at me
for the first time in a quick, searching
way. "a
"What do you mean ?' he asked.
elias he come back with his daugh-
ter 2" l questioned, in turn.
He again started, came forward and
sharply scrutinized my person but, as
l fancied with a guilty conscience.
"Who + you? What do you want
here 7 And why these impertinent ques-
tions % he demanded in a fierce way.
"Don't you know that Horace Gran
ger is dead ?" said I, fixing a look upon
the fellow that made him quail.
"Dead II he echoed, in well-assumed
amazsmentan horror. GOOD heavensl
How? When? Where?
''How Ply hanging when ?-six
days ago; where London" 1 an
swered, categorically.
''You take away my BREATH y he al
most gasped.
"What is your name ?" Iqueried.
George GrenEam."
"Ah, yes-the c." thought.
"Yow knew Mr.. Granger went to
London nearly a week ago to find his
daughter 7" | proceeded.
l saw the man turn pale and shudder
as he answered in a mumbling, con-
fused way
81 believe - he - did - go some
where"
"But his daughter was not in Lon
don, you know"
l said this at a venture, for l fancied
| had OWNED the plot.
"Why, how did you know that 7
That isl mean
"Neyer mind" | interrupted. "His
daughter was not there, but you
WERE"
MAN !" and his eyes fairly glared.
You have been there before in the
disguise of an old man." / went on
You had engaged a room in q CONNER