The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-05-29
ID. FLETCHER ROBINSON


desolate prospect enough-a bare ex-
panEe Of wind-swept land that rose
and fell with the sweeping regularity
OF the Pacific swell. Here and there
clump OF ragged frs showed black
against the snow. Under that gentle
carpet the crisp turf OF the crests and
the broad plough lands Of the lower
ground alike lay hidden. I shivered,
drawing my coat more closely about
me.
1t was half an hour later that we
topped a swelling rise and saw the
gray towers OF the ancient mansion be-
meath us. In the shelter of the valley
by the quiet river, that now lay frozen
into silence, the trees had grown into
splendid woodlands. circling the hal,
on the further side. From the broad
front the white lawns crept down to
the road on which we were driving.
Dark masses of strawberries and the
tracery Of scattered trees broke their
silent levels. The park wall that
fenced them from the road stood out
like an Ink line ruled upon paper
1T must have been there that he
disappeared" l cried, with a specula,
tive finger.
80 imagine" said Peace. "And II
he has spent two nights on the Hamp-
shire downs, he will be looking for a
fire today. You have rather more
than your fair share Of the rug. Mr..
Phillips, II you will excuse my men
tioning It,"
A man was standing on the steps of
the entrance porch when we drove I'D.
AS we unrolled ourselves he stepped
forward to help us. He was a thin.
paie-faced fellow. with fair hair and in
determinate eyes.
My name is Harbord," he said.
You are Inspector Arlington Peace, I
believe"
his hand shook as he stretched Il
out In tremulous greeting. Plainly
the secretary was afraid, visibly and
anxiously afraid.
Mr.. Ransom, the manager Of Mr..
Ford's London office, is here" he con-
tinued. He is waiting to see you in
the library"
we Followed him through a great
nail Into a room lined with books from
moor to ceiling. A stout, dark man.
VINO was pacing 1t like beast in
cage. stopped at the sight Of us. His
race, as he turned. looked pinched and
gray In the full light.
inspector Peace, eh?" he said.
We'll. inspector. il you want reward
name 1t. II you want to pull the house
down only say the word. But find him
ror us, or, by heaven, we're done"
is 1t as bad as that?"
You can keep secret, | suppose.
Yes-it couldn't well be worse. It was
a tricky time; he hid half his schemes
In his own head; he never trusted even
me altogether. If he were dead |
could plan something. but now"
He thumped his hand on the table
and turned away to the window.
When you last saw Mr.. Ford was
he In good health? Did he stand the
strain?"
Ford had no nerves. He was never
better In his life"
In these great transactions he
would have his enemies. If his plans
succeeded there would be many hard
hit. perhaps ruined. Have you any
suspicion of man who, to save him
self, might make away with Mr..
Ford?"
NO" said the manager, after a mo-
ment's thought. mo, cannot give Won
single name. The players are all big
men, inspector. l don't say that their
consciences would stop them from try
ing such trick. but 1t wouldn't be
worth their while. They hold off when
gaol is the certain punishment"
Was this financial crisis In his own
affairs generally known?"
Certainly not"
who would know OF it?"
There might be dozen men on
both sides Of the Atlantic who would
suspect the truth But | don't sup
pose that more than four people were
actually In possession of the facts"
And who would they be?"
His two partners In America: my
self and Mr.. Hartford there"
Peace turned to the young man with
smile and a polite bow
Can you add any names to the
list?" he asked
NO" said Hartford. staring at the
detective with puzzled look. as II try