Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-06-09
THE GREAT HESPER.
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost,
Recovered, and Lost Again.
CHAPTER XII-Continned,

MIN 10 overtime us CNaC YOU SUCK TO
this cursed road?"
II am looking for path; I'VE can not
push through the brake" I replied.
CHANGING over my shoulder. | saw
the Judge, his shoulders bent forward,
his arms swinging from side to side,
bearing down upon us with long strides.
and rapidly diminishing the distance
between US.
"He is gaining upon us. How far
are we from the Abbey" asked Van
Hoeck
"Nearly two miles; We willrun iorit,
ifyou like
Weran for some distance. Again
looking back, saw the Judge still
Flooding on, with the same rhythmic
swing ofhis long arms. Running had
given us no sensible advantages: Van
Hoeck's ear told him this. Drops OF
moisture stood on his livid face, the
result OF terror rather than exertion.
'There is no one in sicht,-no one
we can call to for help" he asked.
''No one. | see a footpath through
the wood, ii you think that will be
safer"
. ''Yes, yes-anything is better than
lIllS open IOui.
We took the path I had caught sight
Of. 1t was good sound bride way,
covered with short turf we ran alon.
noselessly. The angle we made
shut Off the view from the road.
Brace could not cut off the corner
without getting entangled in the
'unde.ro with OF briars, interviewer
with rthe tall brake
He must follow in our steps to
overtake us. The danger lay in
the straightness OF the path,
which kept the view open from the
road. Our escape depended upon
our finding a by-path that might de-
ceive him as to the course we had TAX
en-. explained this to Van Hoeck as
we ran on.
''It is time we found one now, if we
are to escape - he answered.
The next stop brought US to foot
path that cut the bride way at right
angles.
Looking down the green ally toward
the road, as we turned off from it,
could see nothing OF the Judge I
thought We had beaten him.
But we advanced now with great
difficulty. There was room only for
one in the path, yet / had to keep
hold OF Van Hoeck's hand and guide
him, for the brake met before US; the
trailing brambles that crossed the
path caught his feet; at every step he
stumbled. 1t was hopeless to continue
Already I fancied l caught glimpse,
through the trees, OF the Judge,
swinging along the bride way.
"Your only chance is toget amongst
the brake, aud throw yourself down
while l go on" l said. l can 90
quicker alone, and, coming behind
he may imagine that you are still
before me-"
"Show me where to co.
Iopened way through the brake,
led him behind a rhicket, and babe
him lie down. AS he carried out this
instruction, got back into the foot
path, and was then enabled to trot
along at a brisk pace.
1t was only just in time, for, looking
back couple OF minutes later, l per-
ceived the Judge blowing his way
through brake and bramble, which
came well up to the level OF his breast,
with as little difficulty as though it
had been meadow grass, and with the
steady swing OF his bent shoulders.
He had caught sight of me from the
bride way, and struck out at once in
to the thick of the underground.
I did not, in the slightest degree,
participate in Van Hoeck's suspicious
and fears, and having as 1
hoped, succeeded in diverting from
him the object OF his dread, I
was indifferent as to whether the
Judge overlook me or not. Had l
been in the humor to enjoy a
joke, 1 think l should have
enjoyed giving him long chase for
nothing: but circumstances were too
grave for that. l pursued the path
until it dipped down into a hollow,
and there, finding fallen tree across
the path, sat down and waited for
the Judge to come up. In a. few min
utes lie stood before me with his arms
folded on his chest, his feet planted
on his gaunt, weather-beaten face.
"He has given me the slip; has he
given it to you likewise?" he asked.
"No," l replied; II gave it to him.
helped him to escape
stand up, Gentleman IhOrne, and
let us look each other in the face he
said.
Istood up. He held out his hand,
and gave him mine.
"Now, standin' here hand in hand
and face to face, say, air we the
noblest works of natur'? or air we
not?"
1 could not go so far as to admit
that his appearance realized my high
est ideal OF nobility, but understood
his allusion, and replied:
II believe you are an honest man,
if that is what you mean, Brace"
''It is; and that is my opinion Of
you likewise. Let US sit down and
hold a committee. Now, pardner,
will you tell me why you let Israel get?"
Because the poor wretch is half
distracted with the loss OF the dia-
mond and his fear of you"
"Why do he fear me?"
"He believes that you took the dia
~.a,l onJ ;,topd ~ hove b;e liz, j.,