Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-11-19
CHAPTER NNII.

(l1atG3.h AAll.
TI-E one man stood, the other sat,
gazing ut each other in a 81.
ience that was thrilling.
4 DR. Scarth and the hotel man.
ager entered noiselessly and closed the
co" behind them. Grenier, adroit
ScoIni"cl tirat ne was. was bereft of
speech. of the power to move. He
harbored no delusi0ns. This was no
ghost corning to trouble his soul in
broad daylight. 1t was Philip Arson
himself. alive and in full possession of
his senses. more terrible apparition
than any visitor from beyond the
grave His presence in that room
meant penal servitude for life for Vic
tor G:cnicr. a prison cell instead of
palatial chambers, bread and skilly in
~ .rc Of Carlton lunchecns
No wonder the scoundrcl was dumb,
that h.; tongue WAS dry. He went
cod al over. and his eyes swan.
Philip advanced toward him. Grenier
could not move. He was glued to his
chair.
Who are you?" said Arson sternly.
No answer. As yet the acute brain
refused to work. Lost-ruined-nO es-
cape-wera the vague ideas that jos
tied each other in chaos.
Can YOU not speak? Who are YOU
that dares to usurp my name after
stril ing to murder meT
No answer. The shifty eyes-the
eyes of detected pickpocket-wander-
ed stupidity from Philips set face to
that of the perplexed hotel manager
and the gravely amused doctor.
Philip never used strong language,
but he was greatly tempted at that
moment.
"Confound you.' he shouted. "Why
don't YOU answer me-"
"I-my name is Philip Anson. The
manager-the-bank.
AS a spent fox will vainly try the
last dcspairing device of climbing a
tree in full sight of the hounds. so did
Victor Grcnicr evolve the desperate
scheme that perhaps perhaps j he
might carry out feeble pretense Of
self assertion.
If only he could get away into the
crowded station. into the streets, stink
into obscurity while the chase swept
past. he might yet endeavor to escape.
"You Philip Ansor! You vile i'm
poStor! | am sorely inclined to wiring
your neck.'
Philip came nearer. In sheer fright
lest the other might give effect to his
words CREME, again backed his chair
violently. 1t caught against a thick
rug, and he fell headlong. For an in
slant they all thought he had hurt
himself seriously.
him up, but he rose to his knees and
whined:
81 will tell everything. l mean, there
l. some mistake. Look at my letters,
MY bank books They are Philip An
sons. Indeed. there is n mistake"
On TIE table were many documents
and pile of bank notes. Everything
WAS In order. neatly pinned and dock
cted \ number of teiegrams. of which
the topmoSt was signed Evelyn
eau. ht Philips eye. He took them up.
Not only were his betro .hed's mes
sa"cs preserved, but copies Of Gre
nier's replies were inserted in their
prover sequence.
mi Eyc.yn's letters. too. lay before
him. lie e.: Led with anger Us he read.
Oh" .ie cried in sudden blaze, IF
talk Mi,h this scoundrel shall do
Kim an Injury. Send for the police.
They will k.ow how to deal with him"
The mere mention of the police gal
vanizeG Grcnier into the activity Of u
willcat. lie had risen to his feet and
WAS s,arIin:r Imply between the doc
tor aul manager when that hated word
electrified him.
With one spring he was free Of them,
rushing frantically to the door. After
him went all three, the manager lead
ing.
Grenier tore the door open and got
outside. 1t was hopeless attempt. He
would be stopped by hotel porters at
the foot Of the stairs by the managers
loud voiced order. Yet he raced for
dear liberty, trusting blindly to fate.
And fate met him more than half
way.
A tall man coming upstairs with a
page boy encountered Grenier flying
downward. He grabbed him in a
clutch of iron and cried sardonically:
mo, you don't! A word with me
first If the devil was at your heels!'
Intent on his prize. he paid no heed
to others.
(Which is his roomY he said to the
boy.
mo. Al, sir" stammered the young.
ster, who thought that millionaires
should be treated with more ceremony
than this wolf eyed stranger bestowed
on the great Mr.. Anson.
"Go OH. then! I'll bring him"
at is Jocky Mason" murmured Phil
ip to DR.. Scarth. With the manager
they had halted in the corridor. Ma
son strobe past them, with eyes only
for the covering Grenier, who was
making piteous appeals to be set free.
The stronger ruifian threw his con
federate into room Al and was about
| to close the door when he saw Philip
close behind him.
He stepped back a pace, mute, rigid
seeking with glaring eyes to learn
whether or not he was the victim OF
halIucination.
Philip knew him instantly. The
voice he heard on the stairs, the po
| liceman's rough but accurate picture
the recollection of the captive Of John
sons News. all combined to tell him
that in truth Jocky Mason stood be
| fore him.
More than that. the would be muir
derer handled his accomplice in a way
that promised interesting develop
ments. Now. perchance, the truth
might be ascertained. Escape was on
Of the question for either of them. Tn,
managers cry had brought four strons
porters pellmell to the spot.
"You and l will enter" said Ansor
10 DIR. Scarth. "You," to the manager
might kindly remain here with you
men for few minutes"
"Sllall l summon the policeT'
"Not yet. 1 want to clear matters
somewhat. They are dreadfully tan
gled."