The Holly chieftain., 1914-05-01

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-
uons." he smiled. Anything else Pc
mo. ! came to ask your opinion"
my mind is void of theories, Mr..
Phillips. and shall endeavor to keep
1t SO for the present. II you wish to
amuse yourself by discussing posi-
bilities. l 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
l am leaving for Camdon via Water
loo station in % minutes. shall hope
for more definite data before night"
Peace" l asked him eagerly, may
l come with you?"
III you can be ready in time" he
said.
1t was past two o'clock when we ar
| IA
carriage met us at the station. Five
minutes more and we were clear of
the narrow streets and climbing the
first bare ridge of the downs. 1t was
a desolate prospect enough-a bare eI.
panse OF wind-swept land that rose
and fell with the sweeping regularity
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.
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 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" I cried, with a specula.
tive finger.
$50 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. II 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 q thin,
pale-faced fellow. with fair hair and in.
determinate eyes.
my name is Harbord," he said.
you are Inspector Addington Peace. I
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 ONCE, 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 q
cage, stopped at the sight of US. His
face. ss he turned, looked pinched and
gray in the full light.
inspector Peace, eh?" he said.
We'll. inspector. II you want reward
name it. II you want to pull the house
down only say the word. But find him
for US. or, by heaven. we're DONE"
rs It as bad as that?"
you can keep secret, suppose.
Yes-it couldn't we'll be worse. It was
a tricky time; he hid half his schemes
In his own head; he never trusted even
me altogether. II he were dead I
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 a man who, to save him.
self. might make away with Mr..