Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-10-29
NUMBER a..

I'VE VIII pe delighted.
~ will write a check now for 5000.
which kindly place to my credit as
soon as possible. Shall We say the day
after tomorrow"
"That is quite possible. We will use
all expedition"
:Thank you. You understand, this is
merely preliminary. will need q
much larger sum, but will pay in my
next check after hearing from London.
I am not quite sure about the amount
Of my private balance at the moment"
The bank manager assured him there
would be no difficulty whatever under
such conditions.
Grenier obtained his pass book and
check book after writing check on
London before the other mans eyes.
For a small amount an introduction
would have been necessary. In the
case OF Philip Arson, the millionaire, y
man who handled thousands so readi-
ly, it was needless. Moreover. his pro-
cedure was unexceptionable-strictly
according 10 banking business
Grenier rushed of to the station,
caught train for Leeds, went TO the
bank Of different company with diff
ferent London agents and carried
through the same maneuver.
He returned TO York and secured the
services of the hotel typist. lie wrote
to Philips bankers:
I am transacting some very important
private business IN the north OF England
and have opened temporary accounts
with the bank in York and the -
bank In Leeds. and ! shall need CON-
siderable sum Of ready money. Possibly
may also open accounts In Bradford and
Sheffield. Today have drawn two checks
for f5,Oo0 each. Kindly let me know by
return the current balance 10 my credit
as dislike overdrafts and would prefer
to realize some securities.
The next letter ran:
Ny Dear Abingdon-Excuse a typewrit-
er. but ] am horribly busy. The Nor
lands affair Is purely family and per-
sonal one. 1t brings into activity circIm-
stances dating far back in my life and In
the lives OF my parents. Sir Philip Is not
dying nor evcl dangerously ILL., Lady
arrangements which will close long
standing feud.
Write me here IL necessary. but kindly
keep back all business or other communi-
cations, save those OF a very urgent char
acter, for at least a week or perhaps ten
days.
Sorry for this enforced absence from
town. II simply cannot be avoided. and
I am sure you will leave a detailed ex-
l,n.s gf. .,aI
the inclosed annual report OF the home.
Will you kindly forward 1t to the secre-
tary? Yours sincerely.
PHILIP ANsoN.
Grenier dictated this epistle from a
carefully composed copy. He under
stood the very friendly relations that
existed between Philip and his chief
agent, and he thought that In adopting
a semiapologetic. frankly reticent tone
he was striking the right key.
The concluding reference 10 the Mary
Anson Home was smart, he imagined,
while the main body OF the letter dealt
In safe generalities.
Naturally, he knew nothing OF the
conversation between the two men on
this very topic a couple OF months
earlier.
But Lang!on's ample confessions had
clearly revealed Philips attitude. and
the INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel was will
ing now 10 dare all in his attempt to
gain n fortune.
While he was dining telegram was
handed to him:
You forgot to send your address. but
Mr.. Abingdon gave IL 10 me- So grieved
you are detained. What about blue atom?
EVELYN.
Did ever woman invent more tan.
tnlizing question than that concluding
one? What was blue atom: No
doubt creations scheme inciuued blue
atoms as well as black ones and red
ones. But why this reference 10 any
particular atom? He tried the wJ.iIs
In every possible variety OF meaning.
He gave them the dignity of captla.s-
BLUE ATOM. They became more in
explicable.
In one respect they We're e.iect..c.
They spoiled his dinner. He had steel
ed himself against every possible form
of surprise, Du, he was forced TO al
NIT that during the next three days lie
must succeed in perSuaiing Evelyn
Atherley that Philip Anson WIS alive
and engaged In important matters in
Yorkshire. That was imperative. Was
his scheme TO be wrecked by blue
atom?
Moreover. her query must be answer.
ed. His promise TO write was. of
course. mere device. Ii would be
manifestly absurd to send her type
written letter. and exccllently as lie
could copy Philips signature. he dared
not put his skill as forgcr 10 the test
of inditing n letter TO her. no matter
how brief. Finally he hit upon com
promise. He wired:
Stupid Of me 10 omit address. Your
concluding sentence mixed up in trans
mission. Meaning not quite clear. Am
feeling so lonely. PHILIP.
Then he tried 10 resume his u!nner,
but his appetite was gone.
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