Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-05

self
First rate. 1t would deceive his own
| mother"
A terrific rattat sounded on the outer
| door.
A direct summons to the Internal
regions could not have startled both
men more thoroughly. Grenier, with
the protecting makeup on forehead and
cheeks, only showed his terror in his
gllstening eyes and palsied frame. Ma
son, whom nothing could daunt, was
nevertheless spelbound with surprise.
What intruder was this who knocked
so imperatvely? They were a mile
and a half from the nearest habitation
four miles from a village. What fear
full chance had brought to their door
one who thus boldly demanded ndmis-
sion? Had their scheme iuscarrled at
this vital moment? Had Arson sus-
pected something and arranged that he
should be followed by rescuers-aveng-
ers?
The sheer agony Of fear restored
Grenier's wits. He was not Grener
now. but Philip Anson-a very shaky
and unncrved Philip Arson, it was
true, but sufficiently lifelke to choke
off doubling inquiries.
He clntched Mason's arm and point
ed quiverlng finger at Philip.
"Out with him, This instant, The
tide Is high
But his face. If he is found
Mason reached for the life preserver
with horrible purpose.
NO, no. No more noise Quick,
man. You must go to the door. Only
summon me if necessary. oh, quick"
He rushed to another door and open-
ed it. There was balcony beyond. 1t
overhung the very lip of the rock. Far
beneath the deep blue of the sea shone
and nsught else.
Mason caught up AnSon's limp form
and ran with him TO the balcony
With mighty swing he threw him
outward, clear of the cliffs edge For
a few trcmulous seconds they listened.
They thought thov heard a splash
Then Mason turned coolly to Crenier
as there any blood on my coat?"
Il can see none. Now, the door!
Keep inside!'
With quaking heart ne listened to
Mason's heavy tread along the passage
and across the kitchen. He clinched
the back Of a chair in the effort to
calm himself by forcibe means. Then
he heard the unbolting Of the door and
the telegraph messengers prompt an
nouncement:
philip Arson, Esq"
Mason came to him carrying the tel
egram.
Grenier subsidized into the chair he
held. This time he was Frustrated.
He could scarcely open the flimsy en-
velope.
Abingdon counsels caution. Says there
Is some mistake. Much love-
EVELYN.
That was all, but 1t was a good deal
Grenier looked up with lackluster
eyes. He was almost fainting.
Send him away" he murmured.
"There is nothing to be done. In the
morning.
Mason saw that his ally was nearly
exhausted by the reaction. He grin.
ned and cursed
"Of all the chicken heartfelt
But he went and dismissed the boy
Grenier threw himself at full length
on a sofa.
whats up now" demanded Mason,
finding him prone.
'Wait-iust a little while-until nay
heart stops galoping. That confound-
ed knock. 1t Jared my spine
Take some more brandy"
How can |: 1t Is impossible.
haven't got an OK head, like YOU"
Mason placed the lamp on central
table. It's rays fell on Philips hat.
Something in its appearance caught
the mans eve. He picked up the hat
and examined 1t critically.
"Do you know" he said. after ST.
lence broken only by Grenicr's deep
brea thing, 81 fancy / didn't Kill him,
after ALL"
"Not-kill him? Why-he was dead
in that chair-for an hour"
Perhaps. | 1it hard enough, but
this hat must have taken some OF it.
When you were busy, l thought his
chest heaved slightly. And just now
when l carried him outside he seemed
to move"
Rot"
at may he. struck very hard"
Grenier sat up.
Even if you are right" he mutter.
ed, at does not matter. lie fell 500
feet. The fall alone would kill him.
And II he IS drowned and the body is
picked up it is better so. Don't you
see? Even II he were recognized he
would be drowned, not-not- Well
his death would be due TO natural
causes"
He could not bring himself to say
murdered" an ugly word.
"If you were not such milksop
there would be no fear of his being
recognized"
But Grenier laughed hollow and
unconvincing laugh. Nevertheless II
was a sign Of recovery.
"What nonsense we are talking! A
naked man floating dead in the North
('[g'F ZAs5Y