Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-05-09
his coat, and locked them up securely

80 lar so gOod," lie sad. My ami
able friend may not be in an amiable
mood, and don't wish him to get any
advantage of me!'
He did not even take with him the
key Of the box, but having attached it
to q small piece of paper, on which were
some written instructions, he hid it in
the caravan and started off upon his
journey.
1t was dark, gloomy morning, CIV
ing every promise OF coming storms.
AS he passed through the wood which
surrounded Monkshurst House, the
wind whistled softly among the trees,
making moan like the sound Of hu-
man voices.
~ gloomy place" said Brinkley; "a
fit residence for such as he. Any dark
deed might be committed here, and who
would knowY"
The path which he followed was q
neglected carriage-drive, strewed with
stones, oyergrOwn with weeds, and
bordered on either side by the thick
trees of tile forest. Presently the trees
parted, and he came in view of the
house.
A large, gloomy-looking building, as
neglected as the woodland in the center
of which ii stood 1t seemed as il only
a part Of it was inhabited, and the large
garden at its back was unprotected by
any wall, and full Of overgrown fruit
trees.
The door was opened by a grim, elder
ly woman. He inquired for Mr.. Monk,
and was informed that lie was at home.
The next minute he was standing in a
lonely library, where the owner of the
house was busy writing. Monk rose,
and the two stood face to face.
CHAPTER XII.
BURIED.
1t is not my purpose to describe the
interview which took place between my
hero and Mr.. Monk. Suffice it TO say
that when the young man again emerg-
ed from the gloomy shadows OF the
dwelling there was curious smile up
on his face, while Mr.. Monk, who had
followed him TO the door, and watched
his retreating figure, wore horrible
expression of hatred and fear.
No sooner had he disappeared than
Monk left the house also, and, follow
ing foot-path through the woods,
made straight for William Jones cot
tage. Entering unceremoniously, he
found that worthy seated beside the
hearth; without word he rushed upon
him, seized him by the throat, and be-
gan pummeling his head upon the wall.
The attack was so sudden that for
several minutes William Jones offered
no resistance whatever. Indeed, so
passive was he, and so violent was the
rage of his opponent, that there was
every prospect Of his head being beaten
to jelly. Presently, however, Monks
fury abating, his unfortunate victim
was allowed to pick himself up. He sat
and stared before him, while Monk,
looking like the evil one himself, glared
savagely in his face.
you villain! You accursed. treach-
erous scoundrelI" he said. Tell me
sEhat you've done, or Ill kill you."
But William Jones was unconscious
Of having done anything. and he said as
much, whereupon Monks fury seemed
about to rise again.
Mr.. Monk" cried William Jones, in
terror, look We now, tell me what's the
| matter?"
II mean you to tell nc what you have
been hiding from me all these years.
| Something came ashore with that child
| something that might lead to her
identity, and you have kept it, thinking
TO realize money upon it, or to have me
| ia your power. What means it! Speak,
or III stsangle you!"
| But Wiiiasim Jones was evidently un-
able to speak, bsing perfectly paralyzed
with fear. MONK stretched forth his
hands to seize him again, when the old
man, who had been horrihed specta-
tor Of all this, suddenly broke in with:
Look We, now. know there was sum-
mat. IL were leetle book, stuffed in
the front of her frock!"
"A booki" returned Monk, eagerly;
4and what did you do with itY Tell me
that, you old fool Did ycu burn itY"
Burn it," exclaimed the other. mo,
mister, we don't burn nothin', William
and me. You know where you put it,
William dear. In the old place"
Then curse you for sn avaricious old
devil" Numbered Monk. "The book
has been stolen-do you hear?--stolen
by that young painter!"
/: He could say no more; the effect Of
his words upon William Jones was
electrical. He gave one wild shrek,
and began tearing his hair, 1t now be-
came his turn to moan and rave, and
| for some time nothing coherent could
be got from him.
| AT length, however, Monk gathered
that there was some secret hiding place
which Brinkley had discovered.
II thought his poking and prying
meant summat,' moaned William Jones.
Il fancied, too, / seen marks l. the sand,
but never could find no one near. and I
thought they was my own marks. Oh,
what will come to me! I'm ruined"
Curse your follyw exclaimed Monk;
@You've brought it all on yourself by
your own greed, and you don't deserve
i should help you; but tcal help you'll
Listen, then! 1t Is clear that this young
man has possessed himself somehow of
| your secret and mine. But from what
he said to me, fancy he has not as yet
divulged it to single soul. He is the
only human being we have to fear. We
must cease to fear him. DO you under
s:andy"
No, William Jones did not under
stand; so in order to make his meaning
clear, Mr.. Monk drew him out from the
cottage, and whispered something into
his ear. William Jones turned IS white
as death, and began to tremble allover.
Il couldn't, sir" he moaned. Look
ge now--I couldn't do It'll"
Monk stamped his foot impatiently;
ithAu he turned to his frightened victim.
'',Listen to me, William Jones. You
ought to know by this time that have
bothtthe power and determination to
effect my ends. Continue to oppose me,
and play the fool, and all that power
Sisail-be used against you. DO you hearY
Il x...ll ,..s,x II will hauI yos, rvov