Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-08-29

Story.
"You can trust me-" he replied cool
Iy. Il know when / am beaten. Can
you find your own way QUIZ"
Something in his voice aroused my
suspicious, and turned on him fierce
ly.
What is your gamer" said furious
ly. What vile plan are you concoct-
ing in that devilish brain OF yours?''
MY dear fellow" he began. But 1
cut him short
Gail your butler" | said sternly.
"and tell him in my presence that
am your friend and that | am always
to ED admitted to your presence"
What is the use of that? / could
easily play you false but ASSURE
Never mind; do what / tell you!"
| commanded, his reluctance making
me more determined.
He laughed, but / could see he was
nervous and distraught.
Very well" he said: "but | will do
even better than thatI will call my
secretary, and you shall tell him what
ever you please"
He walked round the desk to a baize
covered swing door, which apparently
opened into another room.
"Mr. Courtney. One moment, il yon
please!" he said, pushing the door
open.
There was no answer, and, with an
| ejaculation of lmpatience the banker
stepped into the inner room and the
door swung to behind him.
! He did not Immediately reappear as
had expected.
well, will wait" I said grlmly.
And so | walked up and down the long
room for nearly ten minutes.
Then. losing patience. I pushed open
the green door and found myself in a
/ little anteroom.
1t was empty.
There was no other door, and the
window, which, as I'm the room I had
left, overlooked the square. was shut
and fastened with a patent lock.
Angry and bewildered, l returned
whence had come and glanced search.
ingly round the large, dimly lit apart.
ment. I held my breath and listened.
/ The ticking of clock on the mantel.
piece and the football of a passerby on
the pavement outside were the only
! sounds.
Unqueshonably I was in the room
alone.
went 10 the desk and pressed the
button Of an electric bell. I was in no
mood to be trifed with, and deter.
mined 10 get to the bottom of the mys
terry without delay.
Almost Immediately a gentlemanly
young fellow made his appearance.
You rang, sir" he began. And
then. catching sight of me. he paused,
and stared with open month.
Kindly tell Mr.. Grange [ am stih
waiting, and must see him at once" 1
said.
But Mr.. Grange should be here!"
said the young man in establishment
We'll, you see he is not" l retorted
lirritably. "Ten minutes ago he disap.
peared through that door and haven't
seen him since"
= But that is impossible!" persisted
the young man. There is no othe,
I door in that room!
We'll. ne is not here, is he? Per.
haps you will be good enough to fnu
out where he is. Stay" added, as an
after thought. Perhaps | shall not
trouble him any more tonight; but
kindly tell him that | will call tomor.
row morning at 10 o'clock precisely
when l shall expect to see him"
After all, had the $500. and the
man was really in my power. Perhaps
his nerves had given way. l would
give him a dozen hours respite.
went to pass out of the room, but
the young fellow stood in my path, and
cautiously but firmly objected.
you will excuse me, sir, but l do
not know you, and do not understand
why you are here alone in Mr.. Oranges
room"
But. my good man, have l not told
you that Mr.. Grange left me ten min.
utes ago?'
For reply the other turned to the
door and called for assistance. In a
j. few seconds a couple Of fOotmen made
their appearance.
What's up, Mr.. Courtney?" demand,
ed one.
Probably IL is all right" said the
j secretary quietly. HAS any
one seen, Mr.. Granger"
u No oueNhad. He came TO this room
] after dinner, as was his custom, and
had not been seen to leave it since.
The old butler stated that he had seen
his master here at 10 O'Clock when he
had announced me. II was now nearly
III.
Search the ROOM" said Mr.. Court
ney. keeping a wary eye upon me.
The butler. the two footmen, and the
valet who had now appeared, began
the search with grave, alarmed faces.
a h IusNN L.