Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-15

" III hCi uhcStpHlS. I1c cNcu uIcduleu of persuading her to marry him and | by this means succeed in rehabilitat. ing himself with Sir Philip Morland. The girl was we'll born. Mrs. Ather- ley was Lord Vanstone's half sister and, although his lordship had ruined himself and his relations by his ex. travagance, the match was in every other respect suitable
 He was not content with the slow formula of seeking an acquaintance iu the ordinary way. Accustomed to speedier conquests, he confided his wishes to Grenier and resented the lat. ter's condemnation of his suggestion of a mock accident in which Langdon should figure as the gentlemanly res cuer, as ready means of winning the girls grateful regard The result was worse than failure. He was wild with himself, wild with Grenier and reached higher pitch of fury when Mason surlily refused to say what grievance he harbored against Anson. .
 "A nice muddle I've made of every thingr cried the disappointed youth. And precious lot of friends I've dis covered! I tell you everything. place myself unreservedly in your power, and you not only let me drift into a stupid blunder, but decline to share your condolences with me" He rose to go, but Grenier firmly pushed him back into a chair Don't be bigger fool than you are, Jimmie, and leave those who will help you. told you the cab adventure was mistake. It might go wrong in twen- ty ways and right only in one. And you must admit that never heard of Anson from you until tonight" "I may be to blame," was the sulky admission, "but who is your friend Hunter, and why does he not be as outspoken as I?"
 There are reasons. Hunter was cleaned out in Africa on account of Anson's manipulation of diamond mine. He wants to get even with him. That should be enough for you"
 Mason smiled sourly at his leaders ready explanation, and Langdon saw only the venom in the mans face.
 ''He ought to have said so," he nut tered. T am in no mood to be denied the confidence of those who act with me in this matter. In any case, what can we do"
 Grenier procured decanter of brandy and passed his cigarette case.
 "We c1n accomplish nothing with out money"
 Money! What avail Is money against a milllonaire?"
 'None directly. You would be swamped instantly. But we must know more about Anson. He has servants. They can be made to talk He has susceptible cooks and house maids in Park lane and at whatever place he owns in the country. I am great with cooks and housemaids. There is a mystery, an unfathomable mystery, about his supply of diamonds. It must be probed"-
 "No mystery at all," snarled Jocky Mason. He found a meteor in slum called Johnson's News. It was cram full of diamonds. saw some of 'em."
 You saw them!''
 His hearers allowed all other emo- tons to yield to the interest of this astounding statement.
 "Yes. I don't say much; I act. You'll get no more out of me. I want none of your girls or property. I want Philip Ansou's life. and I'll have it if I swing for it!"
 My dear Hunter, you are talking wildly. Have another drink"
 Grenier, cool as an icicle, saw unex- pected vistas opening before him. He must be wary and collected. Here was the man who would pay and the man who would dare all things.
 Mason's truculent determination gave hope even to Langdon. He, too. gifted with a certain power of vicious req soning, saw that this new ally might prove useful. But he was afraid of such bold utterances and hoped to achieve his purposes without binding himself even tacitly to the commission of a crime. for Mason not only looked. but talked, murder.
 ''I think 1 had better go," he said suddenly. Your brandy Is too strong for my head. Grenier. Call and sec me in the morning"
 The astute rogue whom he address ed raised no objection to his departure. He instantly embraced Langdon's atti- tude in his wider horizon.
 Yes" he agreed. let us sleep on it. We will all be better able to discuss matters more clearly tomorrow"
 Thenceforth the fat in Shaftesbury avenue became a spiders web into which the flies that buzzed around Philips life were drawn one by one. dry of their store of informa. ton and cast forth again unconscious of the plot being woven against their master.
 Within a month Grepier knaw An sons habits. his comings and goings. bis bankers. his brokers. many of his the names of his chief employees. the members of his yachts crew. the topography of his Sussex es- tate. Nothing was too trivial no de tail too unimportant. to escape a note to others and q niche h a retentlve memory.
 He made a friend of one of Philips 'ootmen by standing treat and listen ng reverently 0 hls views on the next