Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-29


sociations. He personally would keep
clear of the law and make others sup
port him.
He would depend on two classes of
contributors-fools, like Langdon, and
slow witted criminals, like Mason. Be-
ing a really clever man. 1t would be
strange If his own middle path We're
not kept clear of letters.
In the mystery surrounding Philip
Anson's influence over these two he
scented interesting developments Be-
ginning with young rake's attempt to
ensnare beautiful girl, he suddenly
discovered n situation pregnant with
the potentlality of gain to himself. 1t
did not matter to him who paid him.
whether Arson or Langdon. He would
hetray one or the other or both i'm
partially,
Mason he liked. The mans rugged
strength of character his sledge ham
mer villainy, his logged acceptance of
/ the leadership of a more skilled rascal,
appealed to him. Mason was n tool,
! and a hard hitting one. He would use
! him, safeguard him II he could. but
! use him anyhow.
In the seclusion Of Grenier's small
! fat Langdon poured out his spleen.
! Arson was the bane of his life. His
| stepfather was Anson's uncle, and the
old idiot recently found out certain
! facts concerning the life led by his
! stepson that caused family rupture.
, His mother endeavored to patch mat
| ters with i'll success, and the baronet
was intent on finding his sisters son
and atoning to him for years Of neg
! lect by making him his heir.
Lady Louisa concealed nothing OF
this from her scapegracc son. She
hoped to brighten him by the threaten
ed loss of supplies. but neither fright
nor hatred could bring him 10 leave
London and settle down to quiet life
in Deyonshire, when perhaps the eld
! erly naturalist's fit of indignation
might gradually wear itself out
At this crisis came his discovery Of
Evelyn Atherley and a mad desire to
win her affections. He even dreamed
of persuadlng 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 Fad ruined
himself and his relations by his ex-
other respect suitable.
He was not content with the slow
formula Of seeking an acquaintance in
the ordinary way. Accustomed to
speeder conquests. he conflded his
wishes to Grenier and resented the lat.
ter's condemnation Of his suggestion of
mock accident In which Langdon
should figure as the gentlemanly res
cuer, as n 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
Arson.
"a nice muddle I've made Of every
thing" cried the disappointed youth
covered! 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 co. but Grenler firmly
pushed him back into chair.
Don't be bigger fool than you are
Jimmie. and leave those who will hely
you. told you the cab adventure wa!
mistake. IT might go wrong In TWEEN
ty ways and right only in one, An(
you must admit that / never heard o
Arson from you until tonight"
Il may be to blame" was the suk.
admission, but who is your frent
Hunter, and why does he not be a
outspoken as II"
There are reasons. Hunter wa
cleaned out In Africa on account o
Anson's manipulation Of q diamond
mine. He wants 10 get even witt
him. That should be enough for you.
Mason smiled sourly at his leader
ready explanation. and Langdon say
only the venom in the mans face
"He ought 10 have said 80" he NUT
tered. II am in no mood to be denie
=, the confidence Of those who act wit
me in this matter. In any case. wha
can we do?'
Grenier procured a decanter OF brand
and passed his cigarette case.
, "We can accomplish nothing witt
out money"
.. Money! What avail Is none
. against a millionairef"
,, None directly. You would b
swamped instantly. But we mus
know more about Arson. He ha
servants. They can be made to tall
j., He has susceptible cooks and hous,
= maids In Park lane and at whateve
;, place he owns Ia the country. l al
y great with cooks and housemaid
There is a mystery, an unfathomab
mystery, about his supply OF diamond
!, II must be probed"-
'. mo mystery at ALL" snarled Jock
y Mason. He found a meteor in
Stun called Johnson's News. 1t We
. cram full OF diamonds. saw SON
of EN-"
"You saw themv'
His hearers allowed all other EN-
- tons to yield to the interest Of tn
astounding statement.
= Eyes don't say much; &C
You'll get no more out OF me. wal
none of your girls or property. wal
~ Philip Anson's life, and I'll have 1t
! swing for IT,"
= "My dear Hunter, you are talkir
n III II