The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-25
CHAPTER XXI.
"HE one man stood, the other sat
gazing at each other in ST.
lence that was thrilling.

gazing at each other In ST.
lence that was thrilling.
Il DR.. Scarth and the hotel man.
ager entered noiselessly and closed the
door behind them. Grenier, adroit
scoundrel that he was, was bereft of
speech, of the power to move. He
harbored no decisions. This was no
ghost coming to trouble his soul in
broad daylight. 1t was Philip Arson
himself, alive and in full possession of
his senses, more terrible apparition
than any visitor from beyond the
grave. His presence in that room
meant penal servitude for life for Vic
tor Grenier, prison cell instead of
palatial chambers, bread and skilly in
place Of Carlton luncheons.
No wonder the scoundrel was dumb,
that his tongue was dry. He went
cold all over, and his eyes swan.
Philip advanced toward him. Grenier
gould not move. He was glued to his
chair.
"Who are your said Arson sternly.
No answer. As yet the acute brain
refused to work. Lost-ruined-no es-
cape-were the vague ideas that JOS
tied each other in chaos.
"Can you not speak? Who are you
that dares to usurp my name after
striving to murder meT
No answer. The shifty eyes-the
eyes of detected pickpocket-wander
ed stupidity from Philips set face to
that Of the perplexed hotel manager
and the gravely amused doctor.
Philip never used strong language,
but he was greatly tempted at that
moment.
"Confound your he shouted. "Why
don't you answer meT'
T-my name is Philip Arson. The
manager-the-bank.
AS spent fox will vainly try the
last despairing device Of climbing a
tree in full sight Of the hounds. so did
Victor Grenier evolve the desperate
scheme that perhaps perhaps = he
might carry out a feeble pretense of
self assertion.
If only he could get away into the
crowded station. into the streets, stink
into obscurity while the chase swept
past, he might yet endeavor to escape.
"You Philip Arson! You vile i'm
poster! l am sorely inclined to wiring
your neckv'
Philip came nearer. In sheer fright
lest the other might give effect to his
words Grenier again backed his chair
violently. 1t caught against thick
rug, and he fell headlong. For an in
slant they all thought he had hurt
himself seriously.
The doctor and manager ran to pick
him up, but he rose to his knees and
whined:
IL will tell everything. I mean, there
is some mistake. Look at my letters,
my bank books. They are Philip An
sons. Indeed, there is a mistake"
On the table were many documents
and pile OF bank notes. Everything
was in order, neatly pinned and dock
eted. A number of kilograms, of which
the topmost was signed Evelyn"
caught Philips eye. He took them up.
Not only were his betrothed's mes
sages preserved, but copies Of Gre
nier's replies were inserted In their
proper sequence.
And Evelyn's letters, too, lay before
him. He flushed with anger as he read.
"Oh," he cried in sudden blaze, "if
/ talk with this scoundrel 1 shall do
him an injury. Send for the police.
They will know how to deal with him."
The mere mention of the police gal
vanized Grenier into the activity of
was standing Imply between the doc
tor and manager when that hated word
electrified him.
Withsone spring he was free of them,
rushing frantically to the door. After
him went all three, the manager lead
ing.
Grenier tore the door open and got
outside. 1t was hopeless attempt. He
would be stopped 10y hotel porters at
the foot of the stairs by the managers
loud voiced order. Yet he raced for
dear liberty, trusting blindly to fate.
And fate met him more than half
way.
"a ldii NOiiihS uPSibitS WIN a.
page boy encountered Grenier flying
downward. He grabbed him in Il
clutch of iron and cried sardonically:
mo, you don't! A word with me
first IL the devil was at your heels!
Intent on his prize, he paid no heed
to others.
(Which is his roomT" he said to the
boy.
"No. Al, SIR" stammered the young
ster who thought that millionaires
should be treated with more ceremony
than this wolf eyed stranger bestowed
on the great Mr. Arson.
"Go on, then! I'll bring him.
at is Jocky Mason" murmured Phil
ip to DR.. Scarth. With the manager
they had halted IN the corridor. Ma
son strobe past them, with eyes only
for the covering Grenler, who was
making piteous appeals to be set free.
The stronger ruffian threw his con.
federate into room Al and was about