The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-23

"Teli me-" began Philip. but loud |
knocking without interrupted him.
"Who is there?" said DIR. Scarth.
Abingdon. / want to see Mr.. An !
SON." was the reply In voice that |
Philip hailed joyfully.
Mr. Abingdon was adS1itted. His |
establishment was extreme at the ma /
ture of the gathering. but he instantly |
noticed Philips wan appearance and
the bandage on his head.
any dear, dear boy" he cried, what
has happened?
Philip told him briefly. As the ex-
magistrates glance rested on Mason
and Grenier it became very chilly. II
brought Portland prison near TO the
soul of one Of them. He poured out
more spirit.
The respite given by Mr.. Ablngdon'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 a 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 IN
dertaken in the first place to save Phil
IFS memory from the slur which was
Intended to be cast upon it and second
ly to afford q 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 tc
his SONS.
1t might perhaps be necessary to use
forcible means to persuade Grenier tc
abandon his tactics. They would be
forthcoming. He gave earnest of that
on the stairs.
OF course the discovery that Philip
lived gave n 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 ut last he began to tell his
story there was a brutal directness, a
rough cloqucnce, that silenced all ques-
tion;ng
At first lis hearers thought he was
rambling and incoherent as he describ-
ed his release from Jail, his visit to
the Mary Arson home, his long and
fruitles3 search for the lost boys.
He told of his meeting with Grenier
the espionage they both practiced on
Anson's movements and the plot hatch
ed with Langdon, whose relationship
with Sir Philip and Lady Morland now
first became known TO Philip.
He was quite fair to Grcnier, giving
him full credit for having stopped him
more than once from numbering Philip
when opportunities presented them
selves He dealt ruthlessly with the
scene in the Grange House. even smil.
ing dreadfully as he described Gre
nier's squeamishness over the sugges-
ton that Philips face should be bat
tered into a shapeless mass.
Then followed his journey to Lon
, don, the meeting with his two sons al
Southwark police station and the tor
turing knowledge. coming too late, that
he had slain the benefactor of his wife
!, and children.
There was an overwhelming pathos
: in his recita! Of the boys kindness tt
J him. He gave lurid picture of his
feelings during the previous night as
he listened to their praises of Philip
Arson and their pleasant plans fol
their fathers future He only WINGED
once, and that was at the remem
: brance Of the parting few hours ago.
And he finished by pitiful appea
, Cor mercy, not for himself. but 20
Grenier.
81 put the whole thing into his mind
: Mr.. Anson," he said. HE would neve
have thought of robbing you but TO
me. Let him go: make him leave til,
country. He vii! never trouble you
again. AS for me, when l so from this
:, room I walk t. my death. You can't
stop me. l will not lay hands on you,
l promise, but not all the men In wait
ing there outside can holf. me back. In
five minutes or less I will be dead. II
: will be an accident No one will be the
wiser, and my boys will be spared the
knowledge that their father tried to
kill the man to whom they owe every
thing"
This amazing stipulation, backed Ut
by q fearless threat, be it noticed
!, drew IN indignant protest from Mr.
:, Abingdon. Philip said nothing.
''Oh, very wellr' growled Mason
There is another way
His right hand dived into a pocket
and DR.. Scarth again fingered his re
volver.
; But Philip cried imperiously:
"Sit still, Mason. / have heard al
that you have to say. Be quiet. l tel
you. Wait until refuse your request.
"My dear boy" interrupted Mr.
Abingdon, who knew Philips Cenerou
impulses, you will never think of con
doning''-
Forgive ne! Let me carry matter
: stage further. Now you, Grenier
What have you to say"
Every little" was the cool response
"My excellent friend has made cleal
breast of everything. You didn't di
and so spoiled the finest coup that eve
man dreamed Of. / had no difficulty Il
:, connecting the requisite epistles from