The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-25

close behind him.
He stepped back pace, mute. rigid,
seeking with glazing eyes to learn
whether or not. ne was the victim Of
hallucination.
Philip knew him instantly. The
voice he heard ON the stairs, the po-
liceman's rough but accurate picture,
the recollection of the captive of John
sons News, all combined to tell him
that in truth Jocky Mason stood be-
fore him.
More than that, the would be muir
derer handled his accomplice in way
that promised interesting develop
ments. Now. perchance, the truth
might be ascertained. Escape was out
Of the question for either of them. The
managers cry had brought four strong
porters pe,lmell to the spot.
You and l will enter" said Arson
to Dr. Scarth. "You," to the manager,
might kindly remain here with your
men for few minutes"
"Shall l summon the police?"
mot yet. l want to clear matters
somewhat. They are dreadfully tan
gled."
Mason, spellbound, but fearless as
ever, heard the dead man speak, saw
him move. He could not refuse the
evidence of eyes and ears. AS Philip
advanced into the room the giant put
his hands wildly to his head and sob
bed brokenly:
THANK God Thank God! For my
boys sake, not for miner
His extraordinary attitude, his no
less extraordinary words, amazed at
least two Of his hearers. Grenier, rem
dered callous now by sheer hopeless
ness, was pouring out some brandy
and lighting a cigarette. The revul-
sion of feeling at the sight Of Mason
had Gained him. He would make the
most Of the few minutes that were left
before he was handcuffed
DIR. Scarth took the precaution of
locking the door and putting the key
into his pocket. 1t Is doubtful if he
would have done this had he known
Mason's violent character. But I'M
known to Philip, he carried a revolver,
which he whipped forth when Grenier
bolted and as rapidly concealed when
It was not needed.
"You did not kill me, you see," said
Philip, sinking into a chair for the ex-
element was beginning to tell on him.
The big man slowly dropped his
hands. His prominent eyes seemed to
be fascinated by the sight of one
whom he threw apparently lifeless in
to the sea.
II could lick your boots" he said
thickly.
The queer idea sounded ludicrous.
Yet It conveyed a good deal. 1t smack
ed Of remorse, repentance.
"Tell me-" began Philip, but loud
knocking without interrupted him.
"Who is thereT said DR.. Scarth.
Abingdon. / want to see Mr.. An
son." was the reply in voice that
Philip hailed joyfully.
Mr.. Abingdon was admitted. His
establishment was extreme at the ma
ture of the gathering but he instantly
noticed Philips wan appearance and
the bandage on his head.
my dear dear boy" he cried, what
has happenedY
Philip told him briefly. AS the ex-
magistrates glance rested on Mason
and Grenier 1t became very chilly. 1t
brought Portland prison near to the
soul of one Of them. He poured out
more spirit.
The respite given by Mr.. Abingdon's
arrival gave Mason time to focus his
thoughts. The man had lived In an in
ferno since he slipped away from his
sons that morning on plea Of urgent
business In order to catch fast train
for York in the afternoon.
He knew that Grenier would make
the Station hotel his headquarters, and
his sole desire was to stop that enter
prising rogue from committing further
crimes which might be damaging to
Anson's estate and disastrous to the
peace of mind Of the girl he loved.
In no way did he hold Grenier re-
sponsible for urging him to commit
murder. The journey to York was I'M
dertaken in the first place to save Phil
ip's memory from the slur which was
intended to be cast upon 1t and second
ly to afford plausible pretext for
platform accident whereby his own
life should be dashed out Of him by an
engine.
He would stumble over barrow,
fall helplessly in front Of an incoming
train and end his career far from Lon
don, far from inquiry and published
reports which might be injurious to
his sons.
1t might perhaps be necessary to use
forcible means to persuade Grenier to
abandon his tactics. They would be
forthcoming. He gave earnest Of that
on the stairs.
OF course the discovery that Philip
lived gave a fresh direction to his pur-
pose. A great load of guilt was lifted
off his conscience, but the position re-
manned little less serious personally.
So when at last he began to tell his
story there was brutal directness,
rough eloquence, that silenced all ques-
tioning.
At first his hearers thought he was
rambling and incoherent as he dascrsb-
ed his release from Jail, his visit to
the Mary Arson home, his long and
fruitless search for the lost boys.
He told Of his meeting with Grenier,
the espionage they both practiced on