The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-06-06
THE VANISHED
MILLIONAIRE
(Continued.)


ting I'D In bed, with my heart thump-
ing In my ribs like piston-rod. aIn
not generally a light sleeper, but that
night. even while | snored, my nerves
were active. Some one had tapped al
my door-that was my impression
listened with the uncertain rear
that comes to the newly walked. linen
heard it again-on the wall near my
head this time. A board creaKed.
Some one was cropping his way down
the dark corridor without. Presently
he stopped. and a faint line OF 1Ilu-
ruination sprang out under my door. II
winked, and then grew still. He mad
lit candle. .
Assurance came with the streak OF
light. What was he doing, cropping In
the dark. if he had candle with MIN
I crept over to the door. opened II, ana
stared cautiously out.
About a score feet away man was
standing-a striking figure against the
light he carried His back was To-
wards me, but l could see that MS
hand was shading the candle from his
ewes while he stared into the shad-
ows that chung about the further end
OF the corridor.
Presently he began to move FORWARD.
The picture gallery and the body OF
the house lay behind me. The corr1-
dor In which he stood terminated In
window, set deep into the stone OF the
old walls. The man walked slowly,
throwing the light to right and LETT
His attitude was of nervous expecta-
tion-that Of a man who looked Tor
something that he feared to see.
At the window he stopped. staring
about him and listening. He examined
the fastenings, and then tried door
on his right 1t was locked against
him. AS he did so l caught his pro-
file against the light. 1t was Harbord,
the secretary. From where stood he
was not more than forty feet away.
There was no possibility of mistake.
AS he turned to come back l retreat
ed into my room, closed the door. The
fellow was in a state Of great agita-
ton, and / could hear him muttering
to himself as he walked. When he had
passed by peeped out to see him and
his light dwindle, reach the corner by
the picture gallery, and fade into re-
flection-a darkness.
took care to turn the key before
got back into bed.
l woke again at seven, and, hurry
ing on my clothes, set OF to tell Peace
all about it. l took him to the place,
and together we examined the CORR
dor. There were only two rooms be-
yond mine. The one on the left was
an unoccupied bedroom; that on the
right was large storeroom, the door
or which was locked. The housekeep-
er kept the key, we learnt upon in
quiry. Whom had Harbord followed?
The problem was beyond me- AS for
Inspector Peace, he did not indulge in
verbal speculations.
1t was In the central hall that we
encountered the secretary on his way
to the breakfast room. The man
looked nervous and depressed; he nod
ded to US, and was passing on, when
Peace stopped him.
Good morning, Mr. Harbord," he
said. Can have a word with your"
Certainly, inspector. What is it?'
I have favor to ask My assist
ant and myself have our hands full
here. II necessary could you help us
py running up to London, and"
For the day." he interrupted.
NO. 1t may be an affair of three OF
four days"
Then l must refuse. am sorry
but"
Don't apologize. Mr.. Harbord," said
the little man, cheerfully. Il shall have
20 ind some one else-that is all"
We walked into the breakfast room
and a few minutes later Ransom an
psared with great bundle OF letters
and kilograms In his hand.
Ransom said not a word to any O,
u, but dropped into a chair. tearins
open the envelopes and glancin1 aj
their contents. His face grew darke,
as he read. and once he thumped hi,
hand upon the table with a crash tina,
set the china jingling.
Well. Inspector" he said at last
The little detectives head shook on
a negative
Perhaps you require an incentive.
he sneered. us 1t q matter Of a re
iward?"
NO, Mr.. Ransom; but it II becom
Ing one Of my personal reputation"
Then. by thunder! you are In dan
ger OF losing 1t. Why don't you an,
your friend hustle. instead OF Isiterin,
around as II you were paid by tn
day! tell you. man. there are thou