The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-06
CHAPTER xxi

CHAPTER XXI.
eThrough tn back door is it that were
gooin :" exclaimed Mrs. Smith. stop a
bit nun git breath. She's a weary
load "
In putting the coffin down to rest
Mark quite as glad TO do so as was She
the lid tilted to one side Mark swore.
Mrs. Smith shivered. Though a woman
Of iron nerves and incapable of feeling
save for herself-she was conscious of
strange shudder going down her back.
That she was aiding in an ill-Omened
deed despite her craving for money, she
felt strongly inclined TO relinquish her
promised guerdon and leave Mark TO per-
form his own gruesOme task.
Now, then, sharp he cried, peremp
torily.
She drew back.
What if she baint really deard, mas
teri she said.
"Snivehng What, you2" he ex-
claimed angrily. She's dead enough.
You may believe me when | tell you that
if could bring her to life again I'd give
give more than l am worth. We're on the
eve of discovery. Her revival might save
my neck Now do you believe mei' He
interspersed his assertion with a few
oaths, more effective to his hearer than
any quantity of arguments. Mrs. Smith
stopped ready to help again.
DO put on tn lid" She said stepping
back i cont abear to see a deard face
All, that's better nor seem 'ers, which
lukes reproachfu' loike"
Your nerves are suffering from want
of sleep, evidently cried Mark sheer
ingly Delay little longer, when every
minute is Of consequence, and we shall
be caught. What are you perldng your
ears about now2'
She was listening She drew nearer to
him and spoke significantly:
MIR Barry, as Pm a living CONAN,
theers a cab, and it hev storped outside
our gate"
"A cab stopped here in the dead of the
night This is a paltry excuse to delay
and ruin me"
IT'S nigh five" she said. hurriedly.
"Im sure it wur wheels, and they
stopped There now" as a loud knock
resounded at the gate who's Iight?'
Mark looked round like a stag brought
to bay. His first idea was fight. A cab
stopping just then could only mean dis
covery.
Are you goin' to open tn gate, or nun
I goaF'
Neither of us; let them knock"
"Wadn't thOt be very unwiseH' she
argued 1T may be nowt pcrtiklcr as is
theer; to refuse admission wad luke bad.
And they need no see-this!"
She had not lost her head as he had at
a critical moment.
Suppose as it should be that ere fur
riner2n
''Dagmar! Very unlikely But go
they'll have the gate down. Use your
woman's wit, but don't admit anybody.
Good gracious, all Hendon will be awake
soon if that goes on. They think we are
asleep. Curse them whoever they may
be, coming at this hour Twenty min
utes later and the world might walk in
for all l cared, so long as | got clear
| away"
Mrs. Smith had gone, and was back by
the time Mark sentence was ended.
st is that furriner, and she vows if 'er
amt let in as her'll goa to tn police sta
tion. She's wild
Mark knew that Dagmar could be. He
was at his wits end what to do for the
| best.
Tell her that-that Nelly has run
awayw
20 may goa and tell 'er whatyo loike,
| I'll hev no more to do wi tn bisness."
In his extremity Mark resolved to go
and see Dagmar
| The moon at the full lighted up the Rus
sian S weird face. She looked like til
| gress as she was detained outside.
"What have you come at such an hour
! IOEt Mt uGluduutOs 'OloGui bIlS people
| out of their sleep!"
"You know why l have had to come
later than / intended, - she cried you
fooled me agnin about jacob. Wen set
! tie that by-and-by. Pve come for Nelly,
and Nelly I'll have. She'll help me to
find my Olga and if she don't she'll
| Hear, l say" breaking off hurnedly, "let
me inN
''You are too late, Dagmar Pom my
word, you are. Nelly took something in
! her head against me and ran off before
bed time. How she managed it can I
1 say, but at last she's done it.
Il don't believe word You say. If she
has gone, why prevent me seeing so with
| my own eyes, There are two men com
ing up the road; III tell them what you
are doing in refusing my request, if you
don't let me eutern'
II was ruse of hers 1t took Mark
felt convinced that the TWO detectives, OF
whom the friendly policeman had warned
! him, We're on the lookout. OF the two
| evils he chose the less; he would let her
! in. She could look round the house with
| out seeing aught of Nelly-the coffin be
ing outside the back yard. He must pro
pitiate her. But how? He cursed his
evil luck that she should have arrived
| Just then.
Look here, Dagmar, if you don't be
lieve me- | will let you see for yourself
| if you will help to deceive those two mer
| when they get hore"
She laughed, amused at the success, and
promised He let her through the gate
and locked il again, though she told hin
that was unnecessary; she should be bach
directly.
You need not follow me about, tho
place isnot so large that can get lost IL
it she said. NELLY! Nelly, child she
| called aloud. Where are You3"
There was no answer. a chill of dread
passed through DagmaT. Had she come
too late; But as yet she had no feal
that Mark had harmed his victim She
! knew him to be vile-unscrupulous-
shaky; that he should deliberately en-
! compass anothers death she had no sUs
picion Of though it was a dreadful blow
TO her plans not to find Nelly at once
Some women in your shoes might be
! afraid to act as you are DOING observed
Mark, mOodily biting his nails"
She pointed to the dagger at her breast
mo; lcould never be afraid of YOU,
/ she said sarCastically, and her meaning
made him wild He was not man enough
with SUFFICIENT nobility of character &c
rouse her fear. You have outwitted me
for the time, but tn find her"
/ well, now, you have looked every
/ where you can clear out he said, sheer
| ingly.
Thanks, that does not suit my plans ]
am not going till after breakfast Mrs
Smith may no r411ta communism i've, fl.r