Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-19
The King Of
Diamonds.
by LOUIS TRACY.
Author Of Wings Of the Morning."
The Pillar Of Light" Etc.
Copyright, 1904, by Edward J. Globe.
CHATTER XXI.
Copyright, 1904, by Edward j. Clode.


scoundrcl tint he was. was bcreft OF
speech Of the power to move. He
harbored no deluslons. This was NO
ghost coming TO trouble his soul in
broad daylight. II was Philip Arson
himself. alive and IN full possession Of
his senses, moro terrible apparition
than any visitor from beyond the
grave. His presence in that room
meant peal scrvitude for life for Vic
Tor Grenicr. prison cell instead of
palatial chambers, bread and skilly in
place of Carlton lunchcons.
No wonder the scoundrel WIS dumb,
that his tongue was dry. He went
cold all over. md his eyes swan.
philip advanced toward him Grenier
could not move. lie was glued to his
chair
"Who arc you?" said Arson stcrnll.
No answer. As yet the acute brain
refused to work. ruined-no es-
,Npe-- the vague Ideas that jos
.lcd each other IN chaos.
can YOU not speak? Who are you
that darcs TO usurp my namc after
,triving TO murder me-"
w bIiNN'is NV 'llIItH - lut
ives Of n detected ickpocket-wandcr-
j stupidity from Philips SGT face to
that Of the perplexed hotel manager
Fnd tho gravcly amused doctor.
Philip never used strong language,
hut he was greatly tempted at that
moment.
"Confound YOU" 10 shouted. "Why
cont YOU answer me-
"I--my name IS Philip Arson. The
manager the bank
AS spent fox will vanly try the
last despairing device Of climbing a
rec in full sight Of the hounds. so did
Tictor Grenicr evolve the desperate
scheme that perhaps perhaps - lie
might carry out a feeble prctcnse of
self assertion.
II only he could got away into the
-rowded station, into the streets. sink
into obscur!ty while the chase swept
past lie might vet cndeavor TO escape.
You Philip Arson You vile i'm
postor! | am sorcly inclined to wiring
-FOUR neck
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 headlons For an in
slant they all thought he had hurt
himself seriously.
The doctor and manager ran to pick
him mp. but he rose to his krecs and
vhined:
II will tell everything. mean. there
Is some mistake. Look at my letters
my bank books. They are Philip An.
sons Indeed. there is mistake"
On the table were many documents
and pile Of bank notes. Everything
was in order. neatly pinned and dock
eted. 4 number of kilograms, of which
the topmost vas signed Evelyn
caught Philips eye. He took them up
Not only were his betrO hel'S mes
sages preserved, but copies of Gre
1ier'S replies were inserted In thell
proper sequence.
And Evelyn's letters, too, lay before
him. He flushed with anger as he read
"Oh" he cried in sudden blaze. III
talk with this scoundrel ! shall d.
aim 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 8
wildcat. He had risen to his feet anL
was standing Imply between the doe
,Or and manager when that hated WORD
electrified him
With one spring he was free of them
rushing frantlcally to the door After
him went oil three. the manager lead
Ing.
Grcn!cr tore the door open and gor
outside. 1t was hopeless attempt. II,
would he stopped by hotel porters a
the foot II the stairs by the manager,
loud voicsN order Yet he raced foI
dear liberty, trusting bllndly to fate.
And fate met him more than haIr
say.
A tail man coming upstairs with
page boy encountered Grcnicr hyin:
downward. He grabbed him in ;
clutch of iron and cried sardonically:
mo, you don't A word with ~,
first If the devil was at your heels"
Intent on his prize, be paid no hccC
70 others.
(Which Is his room?' ne said to tn,
boy.
mo. Al, sir" stammercd the young
Etcr who thought that millionaire.
should be treated with more ceremon,
than this wolf eyed stranger bestowed
On the great Mr.. Arson.
$50 on, then, III bring him"
at is Jocky Mason" murmured Phil
'p to DR.. Scarth. With the manage
they had halted IN the corridor. Ma
3on strobe past them, with eyes onl,
lor the covering Gren!cr. who wa
making piteous appeals to be set free
The stronger rnfiian threw his con
federate into 1Dom al and was abou
10 close the door when he saw Philir
Hose behind him.
He stepped back pace. mute, rigid
seeking with glazing eyes TO lear
whether or not he was the victim O
hallucinatlon.
Philip knew him instantly Tn
*oice he heard on the stairs, the pr
Dceman's rough but accurate picture
Che recollection Of the captive of John
sons News, all combined to tell hin
that In truth Jocky Mason stood be
Tore him.
More than that the would be muI
lerer handled his nccomplice in a wa
That promised interesting develop
ments. Now. perchancc, the trut
might he asCertainnd Escone was nj,