Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-03-23

even better than that will call ms
!, secretary. and you shall tell him what
ever you please"
He walked round the desk to a baizt
covered swing door. which apparently
opened into another room.
Mr.. Courtney. One moment, IL YOU
pleased" he said, pushing the door
open.
There was no answer, and, with an
ejaculation Of impatienGe he banker
stepped into the inner room and the
door swung to behind him.
He did not Immediately reappear az
| had expected.
well. | will wait" said grimIy
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.
II 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. dimly lit apart
ment The ticking of a clock on the
mantel-piece and the football of pass
erby on the pavement outside were the
only sounds
PROFESSIONALLY was in the room
alone.
went to the desk and pressed the
button OF an electric bell. was in no
mood TO be triaed 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 stiH
waiting, and must see him at once"
said.
But Mr.. Grange should be here,"
said the young man in astonishment.
Well, you see he is not" retorted
irrlably. Ten minutes ago he dis
appeared through that door and |
haven't seen him since"
But that is impossible!" persisted
the young man. There is no other
door in that roomr'
Well. he is not here, is he? Perhaps
you will be kind enough to find out
where he is. Stay" added, as an az
terthought Perhaps ! shall not
trouble him any more tonight; but
kindly tell him that | will call to-mor-
row morning at ten o'clock precisely, !
when | shall expect TO see him"
After all, | had the $500, and the man :
vas really in my power. Perhaps his
nerves had given way. would give =
lin dozen hours respite. =,
| went to pass out of the room. but
he young fellow stood in my path. =
md courteously but firmly objected !.
You will excuse me SIR, but do not !
NOV you. and | do not understand - :,
Why you are alone in Mr.. Oranges "
oom."
But, my good man. have | not told
on that Mr. Grange left me ten NON =,
ties ago." N
For reply the other turned 10 the
DOR and called for assistance. In a
wv seconds a couple Of footmen made
leir appearance.
What's up, Mr. Courtney" demand CO
one III
Probably il is all right" said the y
'cretary quietly. Has anyone seen e.
r. Granger" pc
No one had. He came to this room il
ter dinner. as was his custom. and ca
Id not been seen TO leave II since. vi
Search the rooml" said Mr.. Court aV
~ keeping a wary eye upon me. d.
/ found myself watching the butler ad
ssing about and looking in some is
lses. drawers and other impossible
aces. Suddenly he peered behind the tn
reen near the desk. and then started ev
Ick with a cry Of horror. fol
A general rush was made to the dii
OF. the screen was thrust aside. and wi
ere. lying full length en- the carpet. on
rs the body Of man. Nv
The secretary sprang to the door and
)sed it, and then gave his orders in tn
lick, level tones. tic
Robbins, tell Or. Wright to come OF
once, and then go for the police. wa
rsons. White, secure this man. and he
Ike care that he does not get away tht
Mr.. Courtney switched on some let
)re light. and then, kneeIing BY the be
dy, gently raised the unfortunate tie
ans head. us,
As I caught sight Of the face I recog- me
zed II at once. Twenty-Five Years mi
d altered II. indeed, but it was the TO
e of my old, treacherous chum of
2 California gold fields. del
Who. then, was that other who had Ro
mysteriOusly disappeared? sta
What followed is newspaper his VIII
y. the
At the inquest it was proved that Ar ma
ID Grange died from a blow from spc
ne instrument on the back OF the not
al. the
10 due course I was committed for Tn
all The police built up a terrific
Re against me Indeed the evidence
~ al 80,