Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-01-05

Wnat iS your gamer! L SAID lurl-
ously. What vile plan are you con-
cocting in that devilish brain of
yours?"
my dear fellow" he began. But ]
cut him short.
Call your butler" I said sternly,
"and tell him in my presence that / am
your friend and that l am always to
be admitted to your presence"
What is the use Of that? l could
easily play you false; but l assure
Never mind; do what l tell you!"
l commanded, his reluctance making
me more determined.
He laughed, but I could see that he
was nervous and distraught.
Very we'll" he said; but I will do
even better than that. 7 will call my
secretary, and you shall tell him what
ever you please"
He walked round the desk to q bafze
covered swing door, which apparently
opened into another room.
Mr.. Courtney. One moment, if you
pleased" he said, pushing the door
open.
There was no answer, and, with an
ejaculation of Impotence the banker
stepped into the inner room and the
door swung to behind him.
He did not Immediately reappear as
| had expected.
well l will wait" I said grimly.
And so I walked up and down the long
room for nearly ten minutes.
Then, losing patience, l 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 l had
left, overlooked the square, was shut
and fastened with a patent lock.
Angry and bewildered, | returned
whence I 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 a pass
erby on the pavement outside were the
only sounds.
Unquestionably I was in the room
alone.
went 10 the desk and pressed the
button of an electric bell. l was in no
mood to be trifled with, and I 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 I am still
waiting, and must see him at once"
l said.
But Mr.. Grange should be here!"
said the young man in establishment.
well, you see he is not" I retorted
i%rritably. Ten minutes ago he dis
appeared through that door and l
haven't seen him since"
But that is impossible!" persisted
the young man. "There is no other
door in that room!"
well he is not here, is he? Perhaps
you will be kind enough to find out
where he is. Stay" | added, as an af-
terthought Perhaps l shall not
trouble him any more tonight; but
kindly tell him that l will call to-mor-
row morning at ten o'clock precisely,
when l shall expect to see him.
After ali, l had the $500, and the mar
was really in my power. Perhaps his
nerves had given way. l would give
him a dozen hours respite.
l went to pass out Of the room, but
the young fellow stood in my path,
and courteously but firmly objected.
"You will excuse me sir, but I do not
know you, and l do not understand
why you are alone in Mr.. Oranges
room"
But, my good man, have l not told
you that Mr.. Grange left me ten mon
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.
Whats up, Mr.. Courtney" demand
ed one.
Probably it is all right" said the
secretary quietly. HAS anyone seen
Mr.. Grange"
No had. 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 ten o'clock when he
had announced me. 1t was now nearly
II.
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, be-
gan the search with grave alarmed
faces.
I found myself watching the butler
fussing about and looking in some
vases, drawers and other impossible
places. Suddenly he peered behind the
screen near the desk, and then started
back with a cry Of horror.
A general rush was made to the
spot, the screen was thrust aside, and
there, lying full length on the carpet,
was the body of a man.
The secretary sprang to the door and
closed it, and then gave his orders in
quick, level tones.
Robbins, tell DR.. Wright to come
at once, and then go for the police.
Parsons, White, secure this man, and
take care that he does not get away!"
The next moment l found myself
seized and held by two sturdy foot
men.
Mr.. Courtney switched on some
more light, and then, kneeling by the
body, gently raised the unfortunate
mans head.
AS | caught sight of the face l recog-
nized it at once. Twenty-Five years