The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-11
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ u uSCtI tain IL liC uON-
- tor were following him.
Some sense, whether of sight or
Nearing he knew not, warned him of
movement near at hand, an impalpable
effort. a physical tension as Of a man
laboring under extreme but repressed
excitement.
He paid little heed to it. All the sur
roundings in this weird dwelling were
SO greatly at variance with his antici-
pations that he partly expected to find
further surprises.
Or Williams did not answer Philip
advanced halting foot, a hesita ting
hacl cropping for a door.
Instantly stout rope fell over his
shoulders, moose was tightly drawn,
and he was jerked violently to the
stone floor of the passage. He fell
prone on his face, hurting his nose and
mouth. The shock Jared him greatly,
but his hands, if not his arms, were
free, and, with the instinct of self pres
ervation that replaces all other sensa-
tons in moments of extreme peril, he
strove valiantly to rise. "
But he was grasped by the neck with
brutal force and some one knelt on
his back.
Phillip Anson," Kissed mans
voice, "do you remember Jocky Ma
sonY'
So he had fallen into trap, cunning
ly prepared by what fiendish combina-
81 fon rti ha haI o.
learn. Jocky Mason, the skulking
criminal Of Johnson's News. Was he
in that mans power?
Under such conditions q man thinks
quickly. Philips first ordered thought
was one of relief. He had fallen into
Money would settle this difficulty If all
otlef means failed.
les, yes" he gurgled, half stran-
gled by the fierce pressure on his
throat.
you hit me once from behind. You
can complain if l do the same. You
sei, Inc to living hell for ten years
not your fault that it wasn't forever.
Lie still! Not all your money can save
you now. l am judge and jury and
he'll itself. You are dyIng-dying-
dead!'
And with the final words drawled
into his ears with bitter intensity
Philip felt terrible blow descend on
his head. There was no pain, no fear.
no poignant emotion at leaving all the
world held SO dear to him. There was
an awful shock. A thundercloud seem
ed to burst in his brain, and he sank
into the void without a groan.
Now, in falling the hard felt hat he
wore dropped in front of his face. The
first wild movement of his head tilted
it outward, but the savage jerk given
by his assailant brought the rim slight
ly over his skull again.
In the almost complete darkness of
the passage Mason could not see the
slight protection this afforded to his
victim, and the sledge hammer blow
he delivered with life preserver-that
murderous implement named so utter
ly at variance with its purpose-did not
reveal the presence of an obstacle.
He struck with force that would
have stunned an OK; it must have killed
any man be he the hardest skulled abo-
rigine that ever breathed. But the
stout rim of the hat, though crushed
like an eggshell, took off some of the
leaden Instruments tremendous i'm
pact. Philip, though quite insensible,
was not dead. His sentient faculties
were annihilated for the time but his
heart continued its life giving func-
lions, and he breathed with impercep-
tible futterings.
Mason rose, painting with excitement,
glutted with satisfied hate. He lifted
his victims inert form with the ease
of his great strength.
"Come onv' he shouted and strobe
toward door, which he kicked open.
A step sounded haltingly in the pas
sage. Grenier, the sio-disant doctor,
crime, stumbled after his
more callous associate. Unconsciously
he kicked Philips hat to one side. He
entered the room, an apartment with
boundless view of the sea.
Here there was more light than in
the kitchen. The windows faced to-
ward the northwest, and the last radi-
ance of setting sun illumined a wall
on the right
"Not therey' he gasped. 'In this
chair. His facet must see his facer'
Mason, still clasping his inanimate
burden, laughed with snarl.
.Stop thatv' he roared. Pull your
self together. Get some brandy. I've |
done my work. If you can't do yours,
let me finish it,.
"Oh, just moment! Give me time! |
L hate the sight of blood. Get towel. |
Bind 1t round his neck. His clothes! !
They will be saturated. And wipe his
face must see his face"
Grenier was hysterical. He had the
highly strung nervous system Of girl
where deeds of bloodshed were con-
While Mason obeyed his in
structions he pressed his hands over
his eyes.
Bring some brandy, white liver. Do
you want me to do everythingr
This grufr order awoke Grenier to
trembling action. He went to a cup
board and procured bottle Mason,