Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-25

ly. 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 game?" said furious
ly. What vile plan are you concoct.
ing in that devilish brain of yours
My dear fellow" he began, But
cut him short.
Gail your butler" said sternly.
land tell him in my presence that
am your friend and that am always
to eh admitted to your presence"
What is the use of that? | could
easily play you false but assure
Never mind; do what l tell you!"
commanded, his reluctance making
me more determined.
He laughed, but l could see he was
nervous and distraught.
Very we'll" he said; "but | will do
even better than that,I will call my
secretary, and you shall tell him what
| ever you please"
He walked round the desk to baize
covered swing door, which apparently
! opened into another room.
! Mr. Courtney. One moment, if 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" said grimly.
And so | walked up and down the long
room for nearly ten minutes
Then, losing patience. | 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 in the room | had
left, overlooked the square. was shut
and fastened with a patent lock.
Angry and Bewildered | returned
whence had come and glanced search
ingly round the large, dmly lit apart.
! ment. | held my breath and listened.
The ticking of clock on the mantel
piece and the football of passerby on
the pavement outside were the only
! sounds.
Unquestlonably | was in the room
alone.
| went TO the desk and pressed the
button of an electric bell, vas in no
mood to be trified with and | deter
mined to 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 mouth
Kindly tell Mr.. Grange | am still
waiting, and must see him at once" /
said
But Mr.. Grange should be here.'
said the young man in astonishmant.
! We'll, you see he is not, retorted
irritably Ten minutes ago he disap,
peared through that door and haven't
seen inn since"
But that is impossible" persisted
the young man. There is no Other
door in that room
well, he is not here, is he? Per.
haps you will be good enough to fna
out where he is Stay, added. as an
after thought Perhaps shall not
trouble him any more tonight; but
kindly tell him that | will cali tomor-
row morning at 10 o'clock precisely
when shall expect to see him"
After all, I had the $500. and the
man was really in my power Perhaps
his nerves had given way. would
give him a dozen hours respite.
went to pass out of the room but
the young fellow stood in my path, and
i courteously 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 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
few seconds a couple Of footmen made
their appearance.
What's up, Mr. Courtney" demand
ed one
Probably it is all right" said the
# secretary quietly Has any
one seen Mr.. Granger
No one had He came to this room
after dinner. as was his custom, AMI
had not been seen to leave II since.
The old butler stated that he had seen
his master here at 10 O'Clock when be
had announced me II was now nearly
II.
N Search the room" said Mr.. Court.
Eey. keeping a wary eye upon me.
The butler. the two footman. and the
/ valet. who had now appeared, began
the search With grave. alarmed faces
Il I found myself watching the butler