Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-01-01
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
EXT morning Mason trudged
mi of to Scarsdale at an early
hour. He ascertained that
Green had Quilted the Fox
and Hounds inn in time to catch the
first train.
He returned to Grange House with
the dogcart and drove Grenier to
scarsdale with his luggage, consisting
OF Philips portmanteau and his own,
together with hatbox.
He touched his cap to Grenier when
the latter smiled affably on him from
the luxury of first class carriage,
and he pocketed tip with grin.
A porter was also feed lavishly. and
the station master was urbanlty itself
rs he explained the functions and the
time London would he reached.
Left to himself, Mason handed over
the dogcart to the hostler at the inn,
paid for Its hire and again walked to
the deserted farm. He surveyed every
inch of the ground floor, carefully rak-
ing over the ashes in the crate, scrub
bed the passages with hard broom
NAtSAJ phShSd SOluc lew pCESUIldl
belongings in a small bag and set out
again, after locking the door securely,
for long tramp over the moor. Nine
miles of mountain road would bring
him to another line Of railway. Thence
he would book to London and travel
straight through, arriving ut the cap
ital late at night and not making the
slightest attempt to communicate with
Grenier en- route.
inquiry caused by the disappearance
of the inhabitants of the Grange
House.
He and DIR" Williams were the
only residents even slightly known to
the distant village. Such stores MS
they needed they had paid for. The
house was hired for n month from an
agent in the county town and the rent
: paid in advance. 1t was not clear who
owned the place. The agent kept it on
Ills books until some one should claim
1t.
AS the murderer walked and smoked
his reflections were not quite cheerful
now that he could cry quits with
Philip Arson.
His experiences of the previous night
We're not pleasant. Neither lie nor
Grenier went to bed. They dozed I'M
easily In chairs until daylight, and
then they admitted that they had COM
nitted Anson's body to the deep in a
moment of unreasoning panic.
He might be found, and even If he
were not identified that COMPOUNDED po-
Nceman might be moved to investigate
the proceedings Of the curious visitors
to Grange House.
That was the weak part of their
armor, but Grenier refused to admit
the flaw.
naked man found in the sea-and
he may never be found-has not nee
essarily been thrown from balcony
, 300 feet above sea level. The notion
Is grotesque. No constabulary brain
could conceive it. And who is he2
Not Philip Arson. Philip Arson ,s
alive. Not DIR. Williams. Any Scars
dale man will say that. And your
for you"
But Mason was not satisfied. Better
have buried the corpse on the lonely
farm-in the garden for choice. Then
they would know where he was The
sea was too vague
OF pity for his victim he had not a
jot. Had Philip Arson pitied him or
his wife or his two children? They,
too, were dead in all probability. While
In r l,a o
inquiry. but always encountered
blank wall of negation. John and Will
liam Mason, even il they lived, did not
know he was their father. They were
lost to him utterly.
Curse Philip Arson. Let him be for
gotten anyway. Yet he contrived to
think of him during the nine weary
miles over the moor, during the long
wait at the railway station and during
the slow hours of the journey to Lon
don.
On arriving at York, Grenier secured
palatial suit at the Station hotel, en-
tering his name in the register us "Phil-
ip Anson.'
He drove to the postoffice and asked
II there was any message for Gre.
nier."
Yes. 1t read:
Family still at Penzance. Persuaded
friend that letter was only intended to
create unpleasantness with uncle. He
took same view and returned to town.
N-Will say nothing.
Unsigned, it came from u town near
Beltham. Grenier was satisfied. He lit
ni<r
At branch postotIice lie dispatched
two kilograms. The first to Evelyn:
Will remain in the north for few days.
Too busy to write today. Full letter to-
morrow. Love. PHILIP.
The second to Mr.. Abingdon:
Your message through Miss Atherley
nSsed. Please suspend all Inquiries AZ
fair quite unforeseen. Will explain by
letter. Address today, Station hotel,
York. ANSON.
Then lie entered bank and asked
for the manager.
My name may be known to you," he
said to the official, at the same time
handing his card.
Mr. Arson, Park lane-the Mr.. An
son.
suppose Cilu uulleE LlS Sui Will
the definite article. am staying here
some few days and wish to carry out
certain transactions requiring large
sums Of money. will be glad to act
through your bank, OH special terms.
OF course. for opening a short account"
Eve will be delighted"
~ will write Il check now for $4,000,
which kindly place to my credit us
soon as possible. Shall we say the day
after tomorrow"
THAT is quite possible. We will use
all expedition"
Thank you. You understand, this Is
merely preliminary. l will need Il
much larger sum, but Will pay in my
next check after hearing from London.
am not quite sure about the amount
Of lily private balance at the moment"
The bank manager assured him there