Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-11-23
A BLACkMAIL STORY,
1 was seated in the office Of iAsserl

fdte uetecllNe agency, WORKING NV
some ambiguous fragments of evidence
IN a complicated case when a gentle
man called upon me. FIc entered; Il
tall, thin. nervous-looking man, very
sunburnt. as though just returning
from travelling.
II am sorry to interrupt you,"' said
he in an agitated way, seeing Tat 1
was busy. But desire to consult you
about Il little matter Which has caused
me much modification"
l begged him to be seated and COM
municatc his business. He laid his
card upon my table and sat down.
glanced at the name: Mr.. Montgom-
cry Roscoe; and the address was that
of some square in Bayswater.
Il only returned about 4 fortnight
since from South America" he begun.
where business had detained me for
over Il year When 1 left this country
my wife remained at home with our
children. About ten days ago / was
posting some letters 1T the district post
office. Whilst was dropping them into
the box a cab drove up and stopped
abreast. \ ma1 il; Il white hat leaned
out of the window and tried to open
the door. but t"c handle appeared
jammed. I stepped forward to assist
him: he was obliged and said that, us
he was in Il hurry, perhaps l would be
so good us to post Il letter for him. He
handed me the missive, then sank back
into the cab, which thercupon ratified
off. l was just in the act of dropping
the letter into the box when my eye
caught the address upon it, and l saw,
to my surprise that it was directed to
my wife.
Mr.. Roscoe fumblcd in his pockets,
and produced an envelope which he
laid upon the table.
Il need scarcely tell you that I did
not put the letter into the post. In
stead. slipped it into my pocket. car
ried it home, and read it. Here it is"
continued he. pushing it toward me.
1T will emplan itself better than l
can"
1t ran as follows:
"Madam-I take the liberty of adj
dressing you on matter which must
closely concern you. l have in my pos
session a bundle of letters written to
you. after your marriage. by Il certain
gentleman of your acquaintance. l am
sure you will not wish your husband
to know of their cXiSlance. That they
are genuine l have ample proofs, nor
do l presume would you deny their au>
thenticity. Therefore. l am writing to
offer to sell them to you for any rea-
sonable sum. Unless you see your way
to comply. l shall deem it my duty to
communicate with your husband. who
understand. is at present abroad. Adj
dress me at the pOst-restantc, such and
such Il postcfticr. Yours obcdiently,
Egbcrt Undcrhill."
1 replaced the letter in it's envelope,
my client watching me eagerly and
nervouSly meanwhile.
What do you want me to do for
you?' l asked.
Il want you to take the affair in
hand. track this rascal who is attempt
ing to levy blackmail upon my wife.
and ascertain the nature of the charges
he has to brills-which, of course, are
groundleSs.'
Il do not fancy he will need much
saiti l. You have spoken to
your wife,"
"Certainiy."
And She?---"
indignantly denies the dishonorable
imputa1ion,' lie answered hotly. LAS
for any correspondence which the impu-
dent villain may have in his possession
of nature such as he would suggest
well, let him produce it!'
Have you CONN unicated with him.
inquired
NO. I advised my wife not to no
tice the letter, hoping that when the
fellow found his insolent demand I'M
needed he would let the matter drop,
~ ,,.irhi To hn l;1;+
Of prosecuting him. But two days ago."
continued he. Mrs. Roscoe got this
second letter.
He passed it to me, and I read it.
The communication ran to the follow
ing effect:
"MadHm--T have received no reply to
ny letter concerning certain correspond
nnrc which | hold in my possession.
Unless you speedily respond to my de-
mand shall write to Mr.. Roscoe who,
hear, has returned to England. Yours
Dbcdicntly, Egbcrt Underhill.'
well, sir said l, 81 shall be
pleased to take this little affair in hand
Mr. Egbert Undcrhill is undoubtedly a
scamp. but unless he is a good deal
more cunning than his method of going
to work would suggest. we shall catch
lin in his own trap. There is an amaZ-
ing degree of naivte in the mans rogu-
cry"
l reflected a moment, and then con-
tinued-
Your wife must answer this last let
ter. Let her appoint an interview at
your house and request him to bring the
correspondence with him.
She must convey that she wishes the
whole thing kept a profound secret,
as though fearful of it's reaching your
ears.
Very WE'LL" said Mr. Roscoe. taking
his hat and rising. Il need not detain
you longer Your instructions shall be
carried out anG will communicate
with you as soon as there is any:j:i:lg
to report" and wishing me good-day,
be quilted my Office.
Two days later Mr.. Roscoe came
again. He burst into the room, ex-
claiming trinmphantiy:
THE fellow is going to call at my
house this very afternoon. He has
written to say he will be there between
three and five, and bring the letters
with him."
Five minutes later we were seated in
4 cab, driving down to Bayswater