The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-09-15
The Eton Boy


can millionaire. The apartment was big
enough for a small music hall. but at
the moment of my entry there were
only three persons at the end of the
long table, which was covered with
sumptuous dessert. Such peachesi
such grapes, such an array of spark
ling decanters. and all for a tired
looking little gentleman, a comedy, mid
dle-aged lady and a 13-year-old boy
with very bright eyes. The fast two
seemed to me to have been crying.
Inspector Timpany from Scotland
Yard. sir, in answer to your message,
announced the soft-voiced butler who
had admitted me.
AS I walked down the vast length of
the room 1 had ample time to study the
manner Of my reception by it's occu-
pants. Mr.. Montagu Lawson, with one
arm thrown round the boy, who was
standing by his chair, regarded my ap-
proach with what struck me as a mix
ture of eagerneSs and apprehension
Mrs. Lawson favored me with a hasti-
~ averted frown. The boy rubbed his
eyes as though ashamed of the recent
tears, and looked me boldly, almost de-
family. in the face
noticed that the yOungster, though
dressed as an Elton boy, had not the
splck and span appearance usually as
Soclated with the young gentlemen of
that ancient foundation His Jacket
was creased, and his broad collar was
fumpled and none too clean.
MI Lawson began at once-rather
nervously for a financial magnate of
assured position.
telephoned for an experienced of
hceF because my son Harry has just
come home with such an extraordinary
story that, if true, it is a matter for
urgent police investigation. I say if
true, ma because l have ever found
Harry other than truthful but because
The whole thing seems incredible. Yet,
though his mother doesn't quite agree
win me, 1 maintain that my son at
any rate believes what he has told us
Every word of it true, father 1t is
hard lines 10 be received like this after
what l have gone through" said the
Doys his sensitive lip quiVering He was
nice looking little chap, and. what
ever was wrong, ] could not help feel
ing sorry for him.
The story, as narrated by Mr.. Law
son. with occasional corrections by his
son. was as follows: A week ago Harry,
who was being educated at Eton. had
Deen walking with a companion of his
own age on the Slough road between 4
and o'clock. In the dusk of the win
Ter afternoon motor car had over
taken them, occupied by two men. one
OF whom had accOsted him bv nar,e
his fathers. He even prOfessed to know
Harry himself alleging that he, had
met him when dining in Park lane; bur
the two men wore masks and goggles
and 1t was impossible to recognize
either of them.
Jump in the affable spokesman had
SAID. III take you for a spin as far
IS Slough and bring you back TO Eton
IN time for o'clock school Sorry I've
got 40 room for your chum."
Harry had Jumped in. and according
10 his statement. had indeed been taken
Tor a spin the car starting off at a ire
lnenoous speed, and in spite of his pro-
tests. never stopping till in less than an
hour II had pulled W in some locality
that he did not know. but which. SO far
as ne coukl judge, was somewhere in
- south LONDON. There he had been nus
tied into a dingy house. where he had
been kept prisoner for seven days. not
unklndly treated. but closely guarded
by two men and a woman
That afternoon he had been suddenly
told that he was to be released after
Cark and at s o'clock he had been
placed i'm n closed brougham which in
about half an hour had set him down
IT Mr. MOntagu Lawson's door. the vc-
hicie driving rapidly away the moment
lie lad alishted.
He had found his father and mother
'AitiiAS Atl tllit diGtt lO86IntH. ana
perfect ignorance that he was not pur-
suing his studies at school
Then You had had no communal
ton from the authorities at Elton that
Master Lawson was missing?" I nut
the obvious question at the close of this
amazing story.
II was Mrs. Lawson who answered
me. her words tumbling over eacn other
in torrent of half hysterical excite
ment.
No We have not heard!" she almost
walled. "Of course. they would have
let us know. 1t is that that makes it
all SO ridiculOus-and so Disappointing.
Harry was to have gone home with his
friend. the Marquis of Allanton. a fei-
low student, to spend the Christmas
holidays at Castle Chievelev, the seat
of the Duke of Sundayland, the mar
quis' father. 1 had set my heart on it,
hut that must all come t. nothing new
1t isn't likely they'll have Harry there
after his absurd behavior
Where does the absurdity come in,
mother? Perhaps 1 was a fool 20 get
into the motor, but 1 couldn't help my
self after that, could II" the boy blurt-
ed out, flushing angrily.
Hush. sonny" the millionaire
sOothed him. MIR. Timpany is here to
put you right. What 90 you make of
it. Inspector"
So far l had made nothing, except
that the expected breakdown of the
ducal wish might be a sidelight worth
probing, and 1 was about to put Il
question on that poinc when the butler
annOunced-"Mr P--ne'
Harry's houseInaster, by love! Now
we shall get at it," exclaimed Mr. Law
son, and releasing the boy from his half
caress he rose to receive the short |
sighted gentleman who was blinking his |
way toward us through the onulent |
splendor of the dining room
''Ah, my dear Mr.. Lawson" said the
hOusemaster, shaking hands Il see ]
YOU have your son with you. In one
way it is a relief to find him here. |
though what can have induced him to
run away from school is more than 1
can imagine. It has caused me great
anxiety, and as soon as we had ex-
hausted every means Of searching for
him at Elton, l decided to come I'D by
a late train and inform you"
But, surely you might have let us
know before" Mr.. Lawson protested
For the boy TO be missing for a whole