Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-05-23

AS the dog-cart came up he held up
his hand. Unable TO proceed without
running him down, Monk pulled up
J angrily.
"What is it2 Why do you block the
roady" he cried ilercely.
Excuse me, governor" returned tho
other, coolly. "Air. Monk, of Monks
hurst, belieyeP
THAT'S my name"
"Sorry to trouble you on such day,
but should like few words with
you.'
Il cannot stay-I am going TO be mar
ried!'
$50 / heard" said the man, lifting his
hat and bowing with a grin to Matt.
"Glad to see you, miss. How do you
do? But the fact is, Mr.. Monk, my
business won't keep. BE good enough
to step this way"
Full of some unaccountable forebod-
ing, inspired partly by the strangers
suave, yet determined, manner, partly
by the temperance of the caravan,
Monk alighted, and followed the other
across the grass to the close vicinity OF
the house on wheels. The little elderly
man followed, and the man who had
first spoken went through the ceremony
Of introduction.
This is Mr.. Monk, sir. Mr.. Monk,
this gentleman is Mr. Lightwood, of
the firm of Lightwood s. Lightwood,
solicitors. Chester
"And you--who the devil are yo,5' de-
manded Monk, with his old savagert.
MY name is Marshall, Christian
name, John, though my friends call me
Jack" answered the other. with airy
impudence. "John Marshall, governor
Of the detective force"
Monk now went pale indeed. But re-
covering himself, he cried, Il know
neither of you. warned you that was
in haste. What do you want2 Out
with i'll"
The little man now took up the con-
versation, speaking in prim, business
like voice, and occasionally referring To
a large notebook which he carried.
"Mr. Monk, you are, / am informed,
the sole male heir of the late Colonel
Monk, your cousin by the fathers side,
who was supposed to have died i'm India
In the year 1862"
"Yes, that's true. What thenY"
@On the report of his death. his name
being included in an official list of Of
ficers killed and wounded in action,
and it being understood that he died
without lawful issue, you laid claim to
the demesne of Monkshurst in Cheshire,
and that Of the same name in Anglesea.
Your claim was recognized, and in 1865
you took possession"
"Well, have you detained me to hear
only what already knew"
Pardon me, have not finished. l
have now to inform you that you in
herited under a misconceptiOn-first
because Colonel Monk was married and
had issue; secondly, because he did not
die in India, but reached the shores of
England, where he perished in the ship
wreck of the vessel Trinidad on Christ
mas Day, 1864"
monk was livid. At this moment
tones, who had been watching the scene
from distance, came over, painting
and perSpiring in ill-concealed terror.
a<Oi Ali. VIC lhatNct y
Look ye now, we shall be late for the
wedding"
As he spoke, Marshall, the detective,
clapped him playfnlly on the shoulder.
"IIow dye do, William Jones? I've
often heard of you, and wished to know
To you presently.
Il don't know whatyou mean,' Monk
now said, with dogged desperation
with all this rigmarole, Mr.. Lightwood
or whatever your name is. 1t seems 10
me YOU are simply raving. IL am not
my cousins heir, who is, tell me thatY'
"1iis daughter" said the man, quietly.
"IIe never married, and he never had
a daughter"
-IIis daughter, an infant twelve or
fourteen months old, sailed 10 England
with him, was shipwrecked with him,
but saved by special Providence, and
has since been living in this place un-
der the name of Matt Jones'"
"Your intended bride, you know"
added Marshall, with an insinuating
smile. "Hullo, where is the young
ladyY'
Monk looked round toward the dog
cart and on every side, but Matt was
nowhere to be seen.
II see .er go into that theer cart"
said William Jones.
Gall her. cried Monk. "I'll stay no
longer here. Listen to me, you two.
Whether you are telling truth or lies,
that girl is going 20 become my wife-I
have her guardians consent, and she
herself, may tell you, fully appreciates
the honor am doing her."
"Indeedi' said Mr.. Lightwood, smil-
ing. Unfortunately 1, az Miss Monk 8
legal adviser, must have a say i'm the
matter. Doubtless this marriage would
be a very pretty arrangement for keep
ing the late Colonel Monks fortune and
property in your possession, lat can
not conscientiously approve of the
young lady's marriage to an assassin"
AN assassin?-what-w do You
meany gasped Monk, staggering as il
from a blow.
@,rell him. Mr.. Marshall"
3All right, sir. Well, you see, MI.
Monk, of Monkshurst," continued tho
detective, grimly yet playfully, you're
accused Of making away with-murder-
ing, in fact--a young gentleman who
came to Aberglyn a few weeks ago in
that little house on wheels; and this
nice friend OF yours" there he again
slapped William Jones on the shoulder)
@is accused OF being your accomplicc." I"
NO, no. never done it. I'm inno-
cent, ami" cried William Jones' Tell
'em, Mr.. Monk, tell ENID nowt to
do with it."
silence, you fool" said the other;
then he added. turning on his accusers,
"You are couple Of madmen, / think!
1 know nothing of the young man you
speak of Ihave heard that he is miss
ing, that is all; but there is no evidence
that any harm has come to him, for his
body has not been found.
Here Marshall turned with a wink to
William Jones, and nudged him in the
ribs.
Don't you think now,' he asked, ait
might be worth while looking for it in
that l;ttis underground porior OF yours.
down alongside the seay'
William Jones uttered q despairlng
groan, and fell on his knees.
I'm ruined!" he cried. 20 Mr.. Monk.
it,s votlr tlOinol Lord helm mel They