The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-14

iHere was no possibility or mistake.
AS he turned to come back I retreat
ed into my room, closed the door. The
Fellow was In a state of great agita-
tion, and l 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-
fection-a darkness.
l took care to turn the key before I
got back intoIbed. ~ a
woke again at seven, and. hurry
Ing on my clothes. set of to tell Peace
all about 1t. l took him to the place.
and together we examined the corri-
dor. There We're only two rooms be-
yond mine. The one on the left was
an unoccupied bedroom that on the
right was large storeroom, the door
of which was locked. The housekeep-
er kept the key, we learnt upon in.
curry. Whom had Hartford followed?
The problem was beyond me. As for
Inspector Peace, he did not indulge in
verbal speculations.
~ was III tuo CSHlTdl nail tndC 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.. Hartford" he
said. Can have asword with your"
Certainly, inspector. What is it?"
Il have a favor to ask. My assist
ant and myself have our hands full
here. II necessary could you help us
by running up to London, and"
For the day." he interrupted.
mo. 1t may be an affair of three or
four days."
Then l must refuse. l am sorry,
but"
Don't apologize, Mr.. Harbord," said
the little man, cheertully. Il shall have
to find some one else-that Is ALL"
We walked into the breakfast room
and a few minutes later Ransom ap-
peared with great bundle of letters
and kilograms in his hand.
Ransom said not a word to any of
us, but dropped into a chair, tearing
open the envelopes and glancing at
their contents. His face grew darker
as he read, and once he thumped his
hand upon the table with a crash that
set the china jingling.
well, Inspector" he said at last.
The little detectives head shook out
a negative.
Perhaps you require an incentive"
he sneered. ''Is 1t a matter of a re-
ward?"
mo, Mr.. Ransom; but It is becom-
Ing one of my personal reputation"
Then, by thunder! you are In dan
ger Of losing it. Why don't you and
your friend hustle, instead Of lettering
around as II you were paid by the
day? j tell you, man, there are thou
sands-hundreds of thousands-melt-
ing, slipping through your fingers,
every hour, every hour"
He sprang from his seat and started
his walk again-up and down, up and
down, as we had first seen him.
Shall you be returning to London p
At the question the manager halted
in his stride, staring sharply down in
to the inspectors bland countenance.
NO." he said; 81 shall stay here,
Mr.. Addington Peace, until such time
as you have something definite to tell
me-"
II have an inquiry to make which
some one who has personal knowledge
Of Mr.. Ford. Neither Mr.. Hartford nor
yourself desire to leave Meudon. Is
there anyone else you can suggest?"
There is Jackson-Ford's valet"
said the manager, after a moments
thought. "He can go, II you think him
bright enough. I'll send for him."
While the footman who answered
the bell was gone upon his errand, we
waited in an uneasy silence. There
was the shadow Of an ugly mystery
upon us all. Jackson, as he entered
was the only one who seemed at his
ease. He stood there-a tall figure Of
all the espectabilities.
1.-THE inspector here wishes you to
go to London, Jackson" said the man
ager. "He will explain the details.
There Is a fast train from Camdon at
eleven"
Certainly, sir. Do return tonight"
mo, Jackson" said Peace. 1T will
take day or two"
The man took couple of steps to-
wards the door, hesitated, and then re-
turned to his former place.
i. 81 beg your pardon, sir" he began,
addressing Ransom. But l would
rather remain at Meudon under pres
ent circumstances"
what on earth do you mean?" thun-
dered the manager.
"Well, sir, l was the last to see Mr..
Ford. There is, at 1t were. a suspicion
upon me. l should like to be present
while the search continues, both for
his sake-and my own"
Every kind OF you, I'm sure"
growled Ransom. But you either do
what tell you, Jackson, or you pack
your boxes and clear out. So be quick
and make up your mind"
81 think you are treating me most
unfairly, sir. But / cannot be per-
suaded out of what l know to be my
duty"
"You impertinent rascal" began
the furious manager. But Peace was
already on his feet with hand out