Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-01-01
By Louis Tracy.
copYRIcH1 1904. By EDWARD J. GLOBE.
Author of wings Of the Mornins." 1.-THE Pillar q
Hht." Etc.

bank Of q different company with diff
ferent London agents and carried
through the same maneuver.
He returned to York and secured the
services Of the hotel typist. He wrote
to Philips bankers:
I am transacting some very important
private business in the north of England
and have opened temporary accounts
with the - bank in York and the -
bank in Leeds. and shall need con-
siderable sum of ready money. Possibly
l may also open accounts in Bradford and
Sheffield Today have drawn two checks
for $4,000 each. Kindly let me know by
return the current balance to my credit,
as dislike overdrafts and would prefer
to realize some securities.
The next letter ran:
My Dear Abingdon-Excuse a typewrit-
err, but l am horribly busy. The Nor
lands affair is purely family and per-
sonal one. 1t brings into activity circum-
stances dating far back in my life and in
the lives of my parents. Sir Philip Is not
dying nor even dangerously III. Lady
Louisa is in Yorkshire, and / am making
arrangements which will close long
standing fcud.
Write me here il necessary, but kindly
cations, save those of very urgent char
acter, for at least a week or perhaps ten
days.
Sorry for this enforced absence from
town. 1t simply cannot be avoided. and
/ am sure You will leave a detailed ex-
PLANTATION until we meet. have signed
the inclosed annual report of the home
VIII you kindly forward it to the secre.
tary? Yours sincerely,
PHILIP ANsoN.
Grenier dictated this epistle from q
carefully composed copy. He under
stood the very friendly relations that
existed between Philip and his CHIEF
agent, and he thought that in adopting
scmiapologetic, frankly reticent tone
he was striking the right key.
The concluding reference to the Mary
Arson Home was smart, he imagined
while the main body of the letter deal,
In safe generalities.
Naturally, he knew nothing of the
conversation between the two men or
this very topic couple of months
earlier.
Bnt Langdon's ample confessions hat
clearly revealed Philips attitude, anG
the inscriptions scoundrel was will
ing now to dare all in his attempt IL
gain q fortune.
While he was dining telegram was
handed to him:
You forgot to send your address, hui
Mr.. Abingdon gave 1t 10 me. So grieve,'
you are detained. N'ha; nb3.,t blue atom,
EVELYN.
Did ever wo!na:! invent l.o.a tau.
talizing question than that conc.ulin,:
one? What WIS :, l.iue 49,.
doubt creation's scheme III Ill. i 1t
atoms as well as b.;ie.i o:t.s ..n {
ones. But why lhi; Referees. y. j.
particular atom: lie trie,! t.:a i, I.
III every possible variety of i.ie...i..i.,
He gave them the dignity OF c;..,!...
BLUE ATOM. They became more il
applicable.
In one respect they We're effective
They spoiled his dinner. He had steel
ed himself against every possible form
of surprise, but he was forced to add
NIT that during the next three days lie
must succeed in persuading Evelyn
Atherley that Philip Arson was alive
and engaged In important matters in
Yorkshire. That was imperative. Was
his scheme to be wrecked by blue
atom?
Moreover, her query must be answer
ed. His promise to write was. of
course, mere device. 1t would be
manifestly absurd to send her a type
written letter, and, excellently as he
could copy Philips signature, he dared
not put his skill as forger to the test
Of inditing a letter TO her, no matter
how, brief. Finally he hit upon COM
promise. He wired:
Stupid of me to omit address. Your
concluding sentence mixed up in trans
mission. Meaning not quite clear. Am
feeling SO lonely. PHILIP.
Then he tried to resume his dinner,
but his appetite was gone.
Inpostal facilities, owing to its posi-
ton on main line, York is well served
from London. AT 0 p. IN. two letters,
one bulky package and registered,
reached him.
The letter was from Mr.. Abingdon.
1t briefly acknowledged his telegram,
stated that man in the Athenaeum
who knew Sir Philip Morland had in
formed him in response to guarded in
quiries that the baronet was exceed
lngly well off and called attention to
some important leases inclosed which
required his signature.
The other note was from Evelyn. 1t
was tender and loving and contained q
reference that added to the mystifica-
ton of her telegram.
In the hurry of your departure yester-
day we forgot to mention Blue Atom.
What Is your opinion? The price is high.
certainly, but, then picture the joy of II
the only one in the world!
And again came another message:
] referred TO Blue Atom. of course.
What did the postoffice make 1t into?
EVELYN.
Blue Atom was assuming spectral
dimensions. He cursed the thing flu
emily. 1t was high priced, joy, alone
in solitary glory. What could it be?
He str0lled into The station and en-
tered into conversation with a plat
form inspector.
by the way" he said casually,
''have you ever heard Of anything call
ed a. blue atom?"
The man grinnel. as that another
name for d. It's. sir:"
Grenier gave it up and resolved to
postpone n decision until the next
morning.
By late train Philips portmanteau
arrived. 1t was locked, and the key
reposed in the safe. Green, it ulti-
mately trnnspired, solemnly opened the
safe in the presence of the housekeeper
and butler, locked it again without
disturbing any of the other contents
and handed the key to the butler who
placed 1t in the silver pantry.
T. In the solitude nf his room Grenier
burst the lock. The rascal received
one of the greatest shocks Of his life
when he examined the contents Il
quantity of old clothing. some worn
boots. II ball of Irvine, a bed coverlet,
n big iron key, the tattered letters and
Il variety of odds and ends that would