Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-03
THE KING OF
DIAMONDS
By LOUIS TRACY.
Copyright. 1904, by Edward J. Clode }
TO-DAY'S INSTALLMENT.

tered the youngest Of the trio.
We are fools 70 discuss such
things here. 1t is your fault. Grenier.
Why did YOU drop this bombshell on me
! so Unexpectedly? You COMPOUNDED ac-
| tors are always looking out for a cur
! tain. You should not try the expert
ment on your chums in crowded bar"
Now, my dear Langdon, do be rea-
| sonable, How could | tell that the
mere name of Philip Arson would Gre
ate scene? You look as sick as a
man who has just been sentenced to be
hanged. and my old pal Hunter seems
to have suddenly gone mad"
! Indeed, his words were justified. Mr..
James Crichton Langdon was corpse
like in pallor, and Mason, alias Hunter,
| though his tongue was stilled, bore
every indication Of a man enraged al
most beyond control
Come away, then" said I,angdon,
with a horrible attempt to smile lndlf-
| ferently
mo, no. There are too many eyes
here that we should leave with the air
of set OF stage murderers SIT down.
| Let us have a nip of brandy Talk
about racing, women, anything. for a
little while and then go out quietly"
Grenier was right, detective had
already nudged an acquaintance and
whispered:
The pigeon seems to be upset. And
one of the hawks is in a rare temper,
| too. I'll keep an eye on that colIec-
ton"
Ha frhA terlx atrrN
| He saw Grenier exert himself to put his
companion in a better humor. When
they went out he followed, and ascer-
tained from the commisslonaire at the
door that. they had gone toward
Shaftesbury avenue.
BY walking rapidly he sighted them
again, and saw them turn into door
way
"Grenier's chambers!" he said.
| What a splendid nerve that fellow has.
Reports himself coo ly at Scotland Yard
every month and lives in style not half
| mile away. How does he manage 1t?
l must make some inquiry about the
others"
Certainly the methods OF the superior
scoundrels of London are peculiar.
Grenier knew that he was a marked
man in the eyes OF the police. He
knew that the particular saloon bar he
affected was the rendezvous not onlyNof
others like himself, but OF the smartest
detective officers Of the metropolitan
| force. Yet this was his favorite hunt
/ ing ground. Where the carcass is there
are the tackals he would never dream
of honest endeavor in q new land to
begin life anew. The feast was spread
| before his eyes, and he could not re-
sist it,
But Grenier was careful rogue.
After a boyhood of good training and
education, he drifted into bad set al
the beginning OF his adult career. Once,
indeed. he endeavored to put his great
natural abilities to some reasonable use
by going on the stage. The industrious
hardship OF the early years of an &C
tors striving were not to his liking.
however. No sooner had he attained a
position OF trust as manager of tour
ing company than he tempered with
moneys intrusted to his care.
His Career.
He WAS not actually found out, but
suspected and dismissed. Then the
regular gradations Of crime came nat
urany to him Gambling, card sharp
| ing, company frauds, even successful
forgery. succeeded each other in their
recognized sequence, until, at last, came
detection, and heavy sentence. for the
authorities had long waited for him TO
drop into the net
Now that he was free, he did no'
intend to revisit any of His Majesty 3
convict settlements II he could help 1t.
His wits were sharpened, his cool in
tenect developed, by prison lie and as
sociat!ons. He personally would keep
clear OF the law and make others ap-
plaud him.
He would depend on two classes of
COMMUNICATIONS, like Langdon, and
slow witted criminals. Ike Mason. Be
ing a really clever man. 1t would be
strange IL his own middle path were not
kept clear OF letters.
In the mystery surrounding Philip
Anson's influence over these two he
scented interesting developments. Be
ginning with q young rakeS attempt
10 ensnare beautiful girl, he sud
denly discovered situation pregnant
with the potentiality of gain to himself
1t did not matter TO him who PAID
him, whether Arson or Langdon. lie
would betray one or the other or Doth
impartially.
Mason he liked. The mans rugged
strength Of character, his sledge-ham-
mer viEainy, his dogged acceptance Of
the leadership Of more skilled ras-
cal, appea' ed to him. Mason was a tool
and a hard hitting one. He would use
him. safeguard him If he could. but
use him anyhow.
In the seclusion OF Grenier's small
fiat Iangdon poured out his spleen.
To Be Continued To. morrow.