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

Z
! around as if you were paid by the
| day? I tell you, man. there are thou
! sands-hundreds of thousaDds-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 -
At the question the manager halted
ia his stride. staring sharply down in
to the inspectors bland countenance.
No he said; Il shall stay here,
Mr.. Addington Peace, until such time
as you have something definite to tell
me-"
7 have an inquiry 20 make which I
would rather place in the hands of
some one who has personal knowledge
of Mr.. Ford. Neither Mr.. Ha~bord nor
yourself desire to leave MeudOn. Is
there anyone else you can suggest?''
There is JacksOn-FOrd valet, '
said the manager, after a moment 8
thought. He can 60, if 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 responsibilities.
'The inspector here wishes you to
30 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 a couple of steps to
wards the door, hesitated, and then re,
turned to his former place.
Il beg your pardon, sir he began.
addressing Ransom. But I would
rather remain at MeudOn under pres
ent circumstances"
What on earth do you mean thun
dered the manager.
well, sir, I was the last to see Mr.
Ford There is. at it were, a suspicion
upon me. I should Ike to be present
while the search continues, both for
his sake-and my own"
VERY kind of you, I'm sure "
growled Ransom. But you either do
what l 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 l cannot be per
suaded out of what I know to be nay
duty"
you impairment rascal" began
~
already on his feet with hand out
stretched.
Perhaps, after all, can make 9th
er arrangements, Mr.. Ransom he
said. ut is natural that Jackson
should consider his own reputation in
this affair That Is all. Jackson; you
may go now"
1t was half an hour afterwards,
when the end of breakfast had dis
persed the party. that l spoke to Peace
about it, offering to go TO London my
self and do my best to carry out his
instructions.
q had bad luck in my call for vol
unteers," he said.
az should have thought they would
have been glad enough to get the
chance of work They can find no
particular amusement in loafng about
the place all day
Doubtless they all had excellent
reasons he said with a smile. "But
anyway, you cannot be spared, Mr..
Phillips"
You fiatter me-
q want you to stay in your bed
but keep your door ajar. If anyone
passes down the corridor, see where
he goes. only don't let him know that
you are watching him if you can help
it. l will take my turn at half-past
one. l don't mean to starve you"
/ obeyed After all, it was, in a
manner. promotion that the inspector
had given me; yet it was a tedious,
anxious time No one came my way,
barring a sour-IOoking housemaid. I
tried to argue out the case, but the
deeper got the more conflicting grew
my theories. I was never more glad
to see a friendly face than when the
little man came in upon me.
The short winters afternoon crept
on, the inspector and taking turn and
turn about in our sentry duty. Dinner
tine came and went. had been off
duty from nine, but at ten-thirty I
poured out a whisky and soda and
went back to join him. lie was sit
ting in the middle of the room smok-
ing a pipe in great apparent satisfac-
ton.
Bed time, isn't it," I grumbled,
shifting at his strong tobacco.
"Oh. no." he said, THE fact is, we
arc going 70 sit up all night"
threw myself on a couch by the
window without reply. Perhaps I was
not in the best of tempers; certainly
+ did not feel So
You insisted on coming down with
me" he suggested.
Il know all about that" I told him.
81 haven't complained, have I? If you
oil for