Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1908 — The KING of DIAMONDS. [ARTICLE]

The KING of DIAMONDS.

By Louis Tracy,

Author of “Wing* of the Morning,” “Thg Pillar of Light," Etc. r COPYRIGHT. 1004. By EDWARD J. CLODS.

SYNOPSIS TO PREVIOUS CHAPTERS Chapter I—At Johnson'* Mews, a slum In London, Philip Anson, a well reared boy cf about fifteen, loses his mother, tho only illative, so . far us he knows, tint he has In the world. He finds a package of letters, many of them from a Sir Philip Morland, refusing aid to Mrs, Anson. Mrs. Anson was a Miss Morland and was thought by he'- relatives to have married beneath her station. ll—During a gTeat storm Philip eaves a little girl, addressed as Elf, from being crushed by a carriage. In his squalid apartments Philip, sick of the outlook and discouraged, is about to hang himself when a huge meteor falls in the courtyard. Philip, sympathetic and Imaginative. regards It as a message from hi* mother in heaven. Ill —With some fragments of the meteor Philip goes to a Jeweler. He Is told that they are diamonds and is referred to Isaacstein & Co., London’s largest dealers in diamonds. TV—lsaacstein is astounded by the gems Philip shows him and has the boy arrested. V—lsaacstein explains in court that the gems are doubtless of recent meteoric origin. VI —The wife of Sir Philip Morland reads in the papers about Philip and his marvelous diamonds and sends to Johnson’s Mews to inquire about him. She learns nothing. Philip is dismissed from custody. Vll—Philip agrees to supply Isaacstein with a quarter of a million pounds sterling worth of diamonds eacn year for many years. VIII and IX—At Johnson's Mews, while Philip is preparing to remove the rest of his diamonds, he detects an Intruder, who, with the assistance of a poliueman, is captured. He Is a noted criminal named Jocky Mason. .Philip removes his diamonds forever from Jonnson’s Mews. X, XI and XII —Isaacstein sells thirty or Philip’s diamonds for £52,000. XIII— Ten years later, when Jocky Mason gets out of prison, he sees the Mary Anson Home For Destitute Boys, which was founded by Philip. XIV —Philip rescues a girl from insult at the hands of two men, one of whom is Victor Grenier, an ex-fyllow convict of Jocky Mason. XV and XVI —The girl rescued by Philip is a Miss Atherley, an opera singer, who proves to be the Elf of Philip's adventure of many years before. Grenier's companion was a nephew of Grenier. Hl» name is Langdon. XVll—Philip receives a letter telling him that Sir Philip Morland is dying and begging him to come. A man calling himself “Dr. Williams” meets Philip at the depot and escorts him to the nouse. XVTll—Philip finds too late that he has fallen into a trap set by Grenier, Jocky Mason and Langdon. Philip is struck violently on the head by Mason and Is supposed to be dead. His body Is stripped naked and thrown from a cliff Into the sea. Grenier, who resembles Philip, Is to take his place in the world and get hold of his money for the gang. CHAPTER XIX. NEXT morning Mason trudged off to Scarsdale at an early hour. He ascertained that Green had quitted the Fox and Hounds inn in time to catch the first train. He returned to Grange House with the dogcart and drove Grenier to Scarsdale with his luggage, consisting of Philip’s portmanteau and his own, together with a hatbox. He touched his cap to Grenier when the latter smiled affably on him from the luxury of a first class carriage, and he pocketed a tip with a grin. A porter was also feed lavishly, and the station master was urbanity itself as he explained the junctions and the time London would be reached. Left to himself, Mason handed over the dogcart to the hostler at the inn, paid for its hire and again walked to the deserted farm, lie surveyed every inch of the ground floor, carefully raking over the ashes in the grate, scrubbed ihe passages with a hard broom and water, packed some few personal belongings in a small bag and set out again, after locking the door securely, for a long tramp over the moor. Nine miles of mountain road would bring him to another line of railway. Thence he would book to London and travel straight through, arriving at the capital late at night and not making the slightest attempt to communicate with Grenier en route. There was little fear of comment or Inquiry caused by the disappearance of the Inhabitants of the Grange House. He and “Dr.” Williams were the only residents even slightly known to the distant village. Such stores ns they needed tbev had paid for. The house was hired for a month from an agent in the county town and the rent paid in advance. I t was not clear who owned the place. The agent kept it on his books until some one should claim it

As the murderer walked and smoked his reflections were not quite cheerful, now that he could cry ‘•quits" with Philip Anson. Ills experiences of the previous night were not pleasant. Neither he nor Grenier went to bed. They dozed uneasily lu chairs until daylight, and then they admitted, that thfey had committed Anson’s body to the -deep in a moment of unreasoning panic. He might be found, nud even If he were not identified that confounded policeman might be moved to Investigate the proceedings of the curious visitors to Grange House. That was the weak, part of their armor, but Grenier refused to admit the flaw. “A naked man found in the sea—and he may never be found—has not necessarily been thrown from a balcony 800 feet above sea level. The notion Is grotesque. No constabulary brain could conceive it. And who Is he? Not Philip Anson. Philip Anson Is alive. Not Dr. Williams. Any Scarsdale man will say that. And yonr best friend, Mason, would not take him for you.” But Mason was not satisfied. Better have buried the corpse on the lonely farm—ln the garden for choice. Then they would know where he was. The sea was too vague. Of pity for his victim he .had not a Jot Bgd PhUte Anson j>me4 hiajjr

his wife “or Ids two children? They, too, were dead in all probability. While in London he had made every sort of inquiry, but always encountered a blank wall of negation. John and William Mason, even If they lived, did not know he was their father. They were lost to him utterly. Curse Philip Anson. Let him be forgotten anyway. Yet he contrived to think of him during ihe nine weary miles over the moor, iHiring the long wait at the railway station and during the slow hours of the journey to London. On arriving at York, Grenier secured a palatial suit at the Station hotel, entering his name In the register as “Philip Anson.” He drove to the postofflee and asked If there was any message for “Grenier.” Yes. It read: Family still at Penzance. Persuaded friend that letter was only Intended-; to create unpleasantness with uncle. He took same view and returned to town. Will say nothing. Unsigned, it came from a town near Beltbum. Grenier was satisfied. He lit a cigarette with tho message. At a branch postofflee he dispatched two telegrams. The first to Evelyn: Will remain In the north for a few day*. Too busy to write today. Full letter tomorrow. Love. PHILIP. The second to Mr. Abingdon: Your message through Miss Atherley noted. Please suspend all Inquiries. Affair quite unforeseen. Will explain by letter. Address today. Station hotel, York. ANSON. Then he entered a bank and asked for the manager. “My name may be known to you,” he said to the official, at the same time handing his card. “Mr. Anson, Park hine—the Mr. Anson.” “I suppose I can flatter myself with the definite article. I am staying here some few days and wish to carry out certain transactions requiring large sums of money. I will be glud to act through your bank, on special terms, of course, for opening a short account;” “We will be delighted.” “I will write a check now' for £5,000, which kindly place to my credit as soon as possible. Shall we say the day after tomorrow?” “That is quite possible. We will use all expedition.” “Thank you. You understand, this is merely u preliminary. I will need a much larger sum, but I will pay in my next check after hearing from Loudon, I am not quite sure about the amount of my private balance at the moment.” The bank manager assured him there would be no difficulty whatever under such conditions.

Grenier obtained bis pass book and check book after writing a check on Loudon before the other man’s eyes. For a small amount an introduction would have been necessary. In the case of Philip Anson, the millionaire, a man who handled thousands so readily, it was needless. Moreover, his procedure was unexceptionable—strictly according to banking business. Grenier rushed off to the stntion, caught a train'for Leeds, went to the bank of a different company with different London agents and carried through the same maneuver. He returned to York and secured the sendees of the hotel typist. He wrote to rhillp’s bankers: I am transacting some very Important private business In the north of England and have opened temporary accounts, with the bank In York and the bank In Leeds, and I shall need a considerable sum of ready money. Possibly I may also open accounts In Bradford and Sheffield. Today I have drawn two checks for £5.000 each. Kindly let me know by return the current balance to my credit, as I dislike overdrafts and would prefer to realize some securities. The next letter ran: My Dear Abingdon—Excuse a typewriter, but X am horribly busy. The Morlands' affair is a purely family and personal one. It brings Into activity circumstances dating far back In my life and In the lives of my parents. Sir Philip Is not dying nor even dangerously ill. Lady Louisa Is In Yorkshire, and I am making arrangements which will close a long standing feud. Write me here if necessary, but kindly keep back all business or other communications, save those of a very urgent character, for at least a week or perhaps ten days. Sorry for this enforced absence from town. It simply cannot be avoided, and I am sure you will leave a detailed explanation until wo meet. . I have signed the inclosed annual report of the home. Will you kindly forward It to the secretary? Yours sincerely, PHILIP ANSON. Grenier dictated this epistle from a carefully composed copy. He understood the very friendly relations that existed between Philip and his chief agent, and he thought that in adopting a semiapologetlc, frankly reticent tone he was striking the right key. The concluding reference to the Mary Anson Home was smart, he imagined, while the main body of the letter dealt In safe generalities. - ' —— Naturally, he knew nothing of the conversation between the two men on this very topic a couple of months earlier. But Langdon’s ample confessions had clearly revealed Philip’s attitude, and the unscrupulous scoundrel was willing now to dare all In hii attempt to gain a fortune. While be was dining a telegram was

banded to him’: You forgot to send your addreaa, but Mr. Abingdon gave It to me. So grieved you are detained. What about blue atom? EVELYN. Did ever woman invent more tantalizing question than that concluding one? What was a blue atom? No doubt creation’s scheme included blue atoms as well as black ones and red ones: But why this reference to any particular atom? He tried the word* in every possible variety of meaning. He gave them the dignity of capitals — BLUE ATOM. They became mbre Inexplicable. In one respect they were effective. They spoiled his dinner, lie had steeled himself against every possible form of surprise, but he was forced to admit that during the next three days he must succeed in persuading Evelyn Atherley that Philip Anson was alive and engaged In important matters in Yorkshire. That was imperative. Was his scheme to be wrecked by a blue atom? Moreover, her query must be answered. His promise to write was. of course, a mere device. It would be manifestly absurd to send her a typewritten letter, and, excellently as he could copy Philip’s signature, he dared not put his skill as a forger to the teat of inditing a letter to her, no matter how brief. Finally he hit upon a con* promise. He wired: Stupid of me to omit address. YquJf concluding sentence mixed up In trank* mission. Meaning not quite clear. AIR feeling so lonely. PHILIP. Then he tried to resume his dinner, but his appetite was gone. , • In postal facilities, owing to its position on a main Hue, York is well served from London. At 9p. in. two letters, one a bulky package and registered, reached him. The letter was from Mr. Abingdon. It briefly acknowledged his telegram, stated that a man in the Athenaeum who knew Sir Philip Morland had informed him in response to guarded inquiries that the baronet was exceedingly well off and called attention to some important leases inclosed which required his signature. The other note was from Evelyn. It was tender and loving and contained a reference that added to the mystification of her telegram. In' the burry of your departure yesterday we forgot to mention Blue Atom. What Is your opinion? The price la high, certainly, but, then, picture the Joy of It —the only one In the world! And again came another message: I referred to Blue Atom, of course. What did the postofflee make It Into? EVELYN. Blue Atom w r as assuming spectral dimensions. He cursed the thing fluently. It was high priced, a joy, alone In solitary glory. What could it be? He strolled into the station and entered Into conversation with a platform Inspector. “By the way,” he said casually, “have you ever heard of anything called a blue atom?’ The man grinned. “Is that another name for D. T.’s, sir?” Grenier gave it up and resolved to postpone a decision until the next morning. By a late train Philip’s portmanteau arrived. It was locked, and the key reposed In the safe. Green, it ultimately transpired, solemnly opened the safe in the presence of the housekeeper and butler. locked it again without disturbing any of the other contents and handed the key to the butler, who placed it in the silver pantry. In the solitude of his rOOffi Grenier burst the lock. The rascal received one of the greatest shocks of his life when he examined the contents a quantity of old clothing, some worn boots, a ball of twine, a bed coverlet, a big iron key, the tattered letters and a variety of odds and ends that would have found no comer In a respectable ragshop. He burst into a fit of hysterical laughter. “Ye gods and little fishes!” he cried. “What a treasure! The Clerkenwell suit, I suppose, nnd a woman’s skirt and blouse. Old timers, too, by their style. His mother’s, I expect. He must have been fond of his mother." At that moment Jocky Mason, beetle browed and resentful, was reading a letter which reached his lodgings two hours before his arrival, in an envelope bearing the ominous initials “O. H. M. S.” It was from the Southwark police station. Sir—Kindly make It convenient to attend here tomorrow evening at 8 p. m. Yours truly, T. BRADLEY, Inspector. (To be continued.)