The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-01-25


down only sag the word. But find him
for us, or, by heaven, we're done"
els it as bad as that?7
! you can keep a secret, I 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
'Tn 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 q man who, to save him
self, might make away with Mr.
Ford?'
NO." said the manager. after mo-
nent's thought. no, cannot give you
a single name. The players are all big
men, inspector. ] don't say that their
consciences would stop them from try
{ u
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?7
There might be a dozen men on
both sides of the Atlantic who would
suspect the truth. But l 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
a smile and polite bow.
''Can you add any names to the
hst?'' 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;
and now, will you show me the place
Y here this curious disappearance oc,
curred?'
We crossed the drive, where the
snow lay torn and trampled by the
carriages, and so to the white, even
IL
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.
Yes"
"'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
1--WE were in hurry, inspector,
said the secretary, meekly. I'VE didn't
think about it,
We walked forward, following the
broad trail until we came to a circular
patch of trodden snow. Evidently the
searchers had stopped and stood talk
ing together. On the further side I
saw the footprints of a man plainly
defined. There were some half-dozen
clear impressions and they ended at
the base OF the old wall, which was
some six feet in height
Il am glad to see that you and your
friends have left me something, Mr..
Harbord,'' said the inspector.
He stepped forward and. kneeiing
down, examined the nearest footprint
MIR. Ford dressed for dinner" he
inquired, glancing up at the secretary. /
Certainly! Why do you ask"
Merely that he had on heavy shoot /
ing. boots when he took this evening
stroll. It viii be interesting to discov-
er what clothes he wore.'
The inspector walked up to the wall.
moving parallel to the tracks in the
snow. With sudden spring he
climbed to the top and seated himself ,
while he stared about him. Then on
his hands and knees he began to crawl
forward along the coping. 1t was a
quaint spectacle, but the extraordinary
care and vigilance of the little man
took the farce out of it.
Presently he stopped and looked
down at us.
please stay where you are" he
said, and disappeared on the further
side
Hartford offered me q cigarette, and
we waited with due obedience till the
Inspectors bullet head again broke the .
horizon as he struggled back to his po- .
sition on the coping of the wall
He seemed in a very pleasant tenn
per when he Joined us; but he said .
nothing of his discoveries. and | had i.
grown too wise to inquire. When we
reached the entrance hall he asked for
Jackson, the valet, and in a couple Of .
minutes the man appeared. He was .
tall. hatchet-faced fellow. very neatly
dressed in black. He made little
bow, and then stood watching as in
most respectful attitude
"A queer business this, Jackson,
said Addington Peace.
Yes, sir"
And what is your opinion on it?''
ITO be frank, sir. thought at first
that Mr.. Ford had run away; but nov
I don't know What % make Of it