The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-11
s The KING Of 8
DIAMONDS.
BY Louis Tracy,

Author Of "Winss Of the MORNING." 1.-The Pilla
Light" Etc.

Il
seized half a tumblerful of the neat
spirit and drank it with gusto. The
other, gradually recovering his self con-
troll, was satisfied with a less potential
draft.
1T will be dark soon," growled Ma
son. 1--WE must undress him first, you
said"
Eyes, If his clothes are not blood
stained"
"Rot! He must go into the water
naked in any case. The idea is your
| own"
"Ah, I forgot. 1t will soon be all
right. Besides, knew / should be up
set, so have everything written down
here-all fully thought out. There can
be no mistake made then"
He produced a little notebook and
opened 1t with uncertain fingers. He
glanced at closely written page. The
words danced before his vision, but he
persevered.
Eyes. His coat first, then his boots;
clothes or linen stained with blood to
be burned, after cutting off all but
tons. Now Pm ready. will not funk
any more"
His temperament linked the artistic
and criminal faculties in sinister COM
bination, and he soon recovered his
domination in a guilty partnership. 1t
must have been the instinct of the
pickpocket that led him to appropriate
Philips silver watch, with its quaint
shoelace attachment before he touch
ed any other article.
"Queer thingv' he commented ga
rich man might afford better time
keeper, but there's no accounting for
tastes"
Mason, satiated and stupefied. obey
ed his instructions like a ministering
ghoul. They undressed Philip wholly,
and Grenier, rapidly denuding himself
of his boots and outer clothing, donned
these portions of the victims attire.
Then the paint tubes and the other
accessories of an actors makeup were
produced. Grenier, facing a mirror
placed on q table close to Philip, be-
gan to remodel his own plastic features
In close similitude to those of the I'M
conscious man. He was greatly as
sisted by the fact that in general con-
tour they were not strikingly different.
Philips face was of fine classical
type. Grenier whose nose. mouth and
chin were regular and pleasing, found
the greatest difficulty in controlling the
shifty, ferretlike expression of his
eyes. Again, Philip had no mustache.
The only costume he really liked to
wear was his yachting uniform, and
here he conformed to the standard of
the navy. The shaven lip, of course,
was helpful to his imitator. All that
was needed was an artistic eye for the
chief effect, combined with a skilled
use of his materials. And herein Gre
nier was an adept.
But the light was growing very I'M
certain.
"a lamp" he said ENORMOUSLY, for
time sped and he had much to do
bring lamp quicklyw
Mason went toward the front kitch-
en-. Grenier did not care about be-
ing left alone face to face with the
pallid and naked form in the chair, but
he set his teeth and repressed the tend
ency to rush after his confederate.
The latter In returning halted an in
slant.
"Hello!' he cried. Here's his hat"
After placing the lamp on the table
beside the mirror he went back to the
passage.
Grenier was so busy with the making
up process that he did not notice what
his companion was doing. His bent
form shrouded the light, and Mason
placed the hat carelessly on a chair.
He CHANGED to hold 1t By an uninjured
part of the rim and never thought of
examining It,
At last Grenier declared himself sat
isfied.
What do you think of the result?" he
facing about so that the
other could see both Arson and him
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
glistening eyes and palsied frame. Ma
son, whom nothing could daunt, was
nevertheless spellbound with surprise.
What intruder was this who knocked
so imperatively? They were a mile
and half from the nearest habitation.
four miles from a village. What fear
full chance had brought to their door
one who thus boldly demanded adms-
sion? Had their scheme miscarred ut
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 Grenier
now. but Philip Anson-a very shaky
and unnerved Philip Arson, II was
true, but sufficiently lifellke to choke
Off doubling inquiries.
He clutched Mason's arm and point
ed quiyerinQ finger at philiD