The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-05-29
THE VANISHED
MILLIONAIRE

N-~%*&6
worth all the headlines the newspa-
pers had given It: there was no loop
hole to the mystery.
Both sides OF the Atlantic knew
Sila1 ]. Ford. He had established a
business reputation In America that
had made him celebrity In England
from the day he stepped on the liner.
Once IN London his syndicates and
companies and consultations had
startled the slow-moving British mind.
The commercial sky of the United
Kingdom was overshadowed by him
and his schemes. The papers were full
of praise and blame, Of puffs and de-
nunciations. He was q millionaire;
he was on the verge OF smash that
would paralyze the markets Of the
world. He was an abstainer. drunk
ard, gambler, a most religious man.
He was confirmed bachelor. wom-
an hater; his engagement was to be
announced shortly. So was the gossip
kept rolling with the limelight always
centered upon the spot where Silas ].
Ford happened to be standing.
And now he had disappeared, van
lshed. eyaporated.
On the night OF December IS, a
Thursday, he had left London for Men,
don hall. the fine old Hampshire man
sion that he had rented from Lord
Beverly. The two most trusted men
In his ONCE accompanied him. Friday
morning he had spent with them; but
at three o'clock the pair had returned
TO London. leaving their chief behind.
From four to seven he had been shut
up with his secretary. 1t was hard
time for every one, time verging up
on panic. and at such times Silas j..
Ford was not an idle man.
At eight o'clock he had dined. His
one recreation was music. and after
tho meal he had played the organ In
the picture gallery for an hour. AT
quarter past eleven he retired to his
bedroom. Diminishing jackson, his body
servant. for the night. Three-quarters
of an hour later, however, Hartford.
his secretary, had been called to the
private telephone, for Mr.. Ford had
brought an extension wire from the
neighboring town of Camden. 1t was
London message. and SO urgent that
be decided to wake his chief. There
was no answer to his knock, and on
entering the room he found that Mr..
Ford was not In bed. He was sur
prised, but in no way suspicious, and
started to search the house. He was
Joined by footman, and, little later,
by Jackson and the butler. Astonish-
ment changed to alarm. Other serv-
ants were reused to aid in the quest.
Finally, a party. provided with Ian
terms from the stables, commenced to
examine the grounds.
Snow had fallen early in the day.
covering the great lawns in front OF
the entrance porch with soft white
blanket, about an inch in thickness. 1t
was the head-groom who struck the
trail. Apparently Mr.. Ford had
walked out of the porch. and so over
the drive and across the lawn towards
the wall that bounded the public road.
This road. which led from Meudon VII
lage to the town OF Camden, crossed
the front of Meudon hall at distance
Of some quarter of mile.
There was no doubt as to the identi-
ty OF the footprints. for Silas Ford af-
fected broad. square-toed boot. easily
recognizable from its unusual impress
sion.
They tracked him by their lanterns
to the park wall. and there all trace
of him disappeared. The wall was OF
rough stone. easily surmountable by
an active man. The snow that covered
the road outside had been churned
into muddy paste by the traffic of the
day; there were no further footprints
observable.
The party returned to the house In
great bewilderment. The telephone to
London brought no explanation. and
the following morning Mr.. Hartford
caught the first train to town to make
inquiries. For private reasons his
friends did not desire publicity for
the affair. and It was not until the late
afternoon. when all their investiga-
lions had proved fruitless, that they
communicated with Scotland Yard
When the papers went to press the
whereabouts OF the great Mr.. Ford
still remained mystery.
In keen curiosity set of up the
stairs to Inspector Peace's room. Per
haps the little detective had later
news to give me.
found him standing with his back
to the fire putting at his cigarette with
plump solemnity. A bag. neatly
strapped. lay on the rug at his feet He
nodded welcome. watching me over
his glasses.
Il expected you. Mr.. Phillips he
said. And how do you explain it,"
"A love AFFAIR or temporary insan-
ity," suggested vaguely.
Surely We can combine those solu-
tions." he smiled. Anything else?"
mo. came to ask your opinion"
MY mind is void Of theories. Mr..
Phillips. and shall endeayor to keep
II so for the present. II you wish TO
amuse yourself by discussing posi-
bilities. would suggest your consid-
GRAFTON OF the reason why. II he want
ed to disappear quietly, he should
leave so obvious track through the
snow Of his own lawn. For myself, as
| ami leaving for Camdon via Water
loo station in 2s minutes. shall hope
for more definite data before night"
Peace" asked him eagerly. may
come with your"
IF you can be ready In time" he
said.
II was past two o'clock when we ar
rived at the old town of Camden. A
carriage met us at the station. Five