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

of the Pacific swell. Here and there
a 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. | shivered,
drawing my coat more closely about
me.
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 hall
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" cried, with a specula-
tive finger.
80 / imagine" said Peace. "And IL
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, If you will excuse my men
tioning it,"
A man was standing on the steps OF
the entrance porch when we drove up.
AS we unrolled ourselves he stepped
forward to help us. He was a thin.
pale-faced fellow. with fair hair and in.
determinate eyes.
''My name Is Harbord," he said.
you are Inspector Arlington Peace,
believe"
His hand shook as he stretched it
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
hall into room lined with books from
floor to ceiling. A stout, dark man,
who was pacing 1t like beast in a
cage. stopped at the sight of US. His
race, as he turned. looked pinched and
gray in the full light.
Inspector Peace, ehT" he said.
We'll, inspector. If you want a reward
name it. II you wantito pull the house
down only say the word. But find him
for US. or, by heaven. we're done"
'Is it as bad as that?"
"You can keep a secret, I suppose.
Yes-it couldn't well be worse. 1t was
tricky time; he hid half his schemes
in his own head; he never trusted even
me altogether. II 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. II 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 you
single name. The players are all big
men, inspector. l don't say that their
consciences would stop them from try
ing such a 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 a dozen men on
both sides of the Atlantic who would
suspect the truth. But I 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.. Harbord there"
Peace turned to the young man with
a smile and polite bow.
Can you add any names to the
list?" he asked.
NO." said Harbord, staring at the
detective with puzzled look, as if try
ing to catch the drift of his questions.
Thank you," said the inspector;
land now, will you show me the place
where this curious disappearance &C.
curred?"
We crossed the drive, where the
snow lay torn and trampled by the
carriages, and SO to the white. even
surface of the lawn. We soon struck
the trail, a confused path beaten by
many footprints. Peace stopped for
moment, and then turned to the secre-
tary with an angry glance.
"Were you with them?" he said.
Eyes"
"Then why, in the name Of COM
mon sense, didn't you keep them off
his tracks? You have simply tram
pied them out of existence, between
YOU"
eve were in a hurry, inspector"
said the secretary, meekly. eve didn't
think about it."
We walked forward, following the
broad trail until we came to circular
patch of trodden snow. Evidently the
| Ia .x.oDaJ ard otnaI ta1U.