The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-09-30

and learn what he knew Of the latter's
mysterious absence.
1t appeared that eGregson lived I'm
RaVepswood, where he long had oWneC
and occupied a fine old mansion.
having park and quite extensiv,
grounds along the bank of the river
His household comprised only his wife
and maiden sister, and two femau
servants. He had dined at home as
usual the previous evening after which
he had gone alone to his boat house. in
tending 10 row about on the river until
dusk, his habitual recreation at that
hour when the weather permitted. He
had not, however, since leaving his
dwelling that evening, been seen by
any OF its inmates.
The circumstances under which his
absence was not discovered until the
next morning were not at all extraor-
binary Gregson occupied a chamber
apart from that of his wife, and he had,
during his recent stress of business.
frequently worked nearly all night i'm
his library on the ground floor. At dusk
the previous evening a servant had
lighted the library lamp as usual, and
then closed the door of the room IT Q
o'clock the family had retired. under
the impression that Gregson had re-
turned home and was at work in the
/ library.
Next morning. after preparing break
fast, the servant had found the library
lamp still burning and at once spread
the alarm. search quickly revealed
/ That GregSon had not occupied his
i chamber, nor. had he returned from the
! river. His light overcoat was found
/ lying on the boat house float, and his
boat, an ordinary lap-streak rowboat,
was missing. Despite his skill as a
boatman. the evidence strongly indi-
Gated that some accident had befallen
Gregson and that he had been drowned.
Vainly hoping that her husband had
/ left his boat somewhere. however, and
returned to his Office in the city. a pos
sibility suggested by the important
business then engaging him, Mrs. Greg
son had hurriedly telephoned the
startling facts to Mr.. Green, who had
arrived early that morning at the
firms office.
It took Felix Boyd several minutes to
get these details of the case, which
certainly would have presented to
most men nothing Of very encourag-
ing nature. Yet Boyd's forceful coun-
telance took on an expression of ugly
determination while he listened. which
was wildly i'm contrast with the ghast-
ly perturbation and Idismay OF Greg
sons partner.
What did you advise Mrs Gregson
to do about the case?" Boyd quickly
demanded. upon learning the facts
mentioned
Il told her To do absolutely nothing
until after had consulted you" Green
excitedly rejoined.
Very good Glad you did So"
Il sent Philip after you at once.
since have been on nettIes In fact. Mr.
Boyd I am almost distracted. This ca
lamity could not have occurred at a
worse time, for our business is fatal
ly-"
stop a Bit" Boyd sharply interrupt
ed. you must command your feelings
and leave the investigation of the affair
to me- No more of this excitement sir.
You must do Just what 1 advise, and do
ii promptly.
But"
II cannot listen to any butts. Mr..
Green" cried Boyd decisively. First
Of all, telephone again 10 Mrs. Gregson
and command her TO suppress all OF the
facts until j arrive at her house I pre-
sently will 90 over there. Tell here 10
give no publicity to. the case, mind you,
and not TO inform the local police of
any OF the circumstances. II am not
mistaken-ah. yonder is a party have
been expecting. To the telephone, Mr.
Green, and see that my instructions
are rigidly followed. I'll return i'm just
q, moment" .. r. '
Boyd was not man to be resisted
at/such a time. Through the glass pam
els OF the office doors he suddenly had
observed, I'm the public corridor outside,
the same young man about whom he
had questioned Gregson nearly a month
before Leaving Green 10 carry out his
Instructions. Boyd FASTENED out TO the
corridor, where Finley then was gaz-
ing anXiOusly toward the bankers Of
fee. Strange to relate, the last sign of
austerity had vanished from Felix
BOyd's face. and it now wore an invit-
ing smile.
"Ah, you're Just the chap I've been
looking for" he cried heartily. as he
emerged to the corridor. Your name
is Finley, isn't it?"
Yes, sir" admitted Finley, apparent
ly somewhat startled What do YOU
want? Has anything happened TOTO
Mr.. Gregson2 i have been looking"
Been looking, after him for some
timeZyes, yes, i know all about that. 81.
Mr.. Finley" Boyd quickly interrupted,
in accents OF hearty approval Greg
son told ms about you nearly a month
ago. I'm nightly glad to see you at
just this time. I've even been to your
detective bureau in the hope Of finding
you there. ! saw Mr. Vogle who
speaks very highly OF you. Yes, yes,
something has happened to Gregson.
and you are the one man from whom /
hope 70 get some sort OF a clue.
But what has happened--what has
happened?' Finley now hurriedly in
quired. did you really go TO the de-
tective bureau after me? / am en-
ployed there only at odd times, sir, and
it's three months since did any work
for them What has happened TO Mr.
Gregson2"
The several questions were glibIy
asked, and with a display of nervous
anxiety that ordinarily would have
passed for genuine; yet certain crafty
and treacherous light in the depths OF
Finley's eyes, despite the general
frankness OF his youthful face. did moi