The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-07

have hesitated, but, as it was, sort of dew
ilish cunning seemed to take possession of
him. 1t would be COED sport, he told him
SELF ifhe could make the old woman fork out
Why, it would only be what Jim owed him,
the money he had prevented him getting out
there in the Northwest. After all
how was he to know where Jim vereker was
or in what manner he was gaining livelihood?
And then Richard Grailey spoke, though in
low tones; nor did he look at the mother of
his school friend as he talked. All England
and America had recently been startled by the
murder of young Englishman in Canadian
swamp The murderer had been executed,
but accomplices were suspected, and the
police had offered large sums to any one who
could give evidence as to the other criminals.
And gently, sorrowfully, Richard Grailey let
Mrs. Vereker know that he knew where one of
the suspects was hiding, and that suspect was
her SON.
long silence fell on the little room. The
fire cracked brightly on the hearth, and, in
the increasing warmth, the scent of white
lilac grew almost overpowering. The Persian
cat recured itself into more luxurious po-
sition on the fur hearth-rug. Mrs. Vereker
did not turn her head, but Dick could see
that she had become a curious ashen-gray.
elbow much do you want ?" she managed
to say, at last.
81 want FIVE hundred pounds ~
Mrs. Vereker staggered to her feet, and,
crossing the room to writing-table, opened
a drawer and felt mechanically for her check
book. Dick looked over her shoulder as she
wrote. When she had done she leaned back
in her chair as if exhausted. ''She really is
an uncommonly queer color" thought Dick,
as he slipped the check in his pocket; 81 do
believe she's fainted shall get out, don't
want to be mixed up in this" And to be
sure, the poor lady must have tainted, for the
silent figure at the writing-table did not
bulge as he closed the door softly behind him
and quietly left the house.
Ugh how cold it was as he turned out again
into the streets. A bitter northeast wind had
blown up and seemed to strike him in the chest
as he turned up toward Regent street ON his
way back to his room in Holborn. His head
felt queer, and he did not want anything to
eat now Besides, he had five hundred pounds
in his pocket. He would be able to live like a
| prince to- morrow. Tomorrow Richard Grailey
would cash his check.
But tomorrow came and Dick was tossing
| in his bed His head was on fire, his chest was
| pierced with sharp knives. No one sent for
the doctor-who was going to pay for doctor
in that Holborn clearinghouse? The landlady
| made him poultice now and then and sent
him up some broth, but it was bitterly cold in
| the attic.
Itwas three weeks before he was well enough
| to get out, and he felt very weak as he crawled
| along to the London and Westminster Bank
| and presented his check.
| ''Not valid said the clerk, in his abrupt,
| official voice. "writer of this check is de-
ceased Mrs Vereker was found dead in her
study one night, three weeks ago. The check
must be drawn again by her legatee."
Sand who is that ?'' faltered Dick
| ''Mr James Vereker is the sole legatee of
his mothers fortune. He arrived in London
two days ago, and was at the bank yesterday.
| You must take your check to Mr.. Vereker,
| sir''
| "To Mr.. Vereker?" repeated Dick; ''oh, OF
course. He will write me another"
Mr. Richard Grailey is still of opinion that
he is an ill-used individual. In London, he
AYERS, it is almost drawback to have brains
and imagination. To have both, will prob
ably land you in some nasty scrape Wher
he was last heard of, Dick was thinking o.
trying Australia.