Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-24
him where Radstock was: must qnes
ton him first"


But from others learned that the oil,
man was here last night, so though
would come down to make inQuil
les"
II should have thought his owl
home would be the best place to fint
him."
II wired there He has not beer
there since yesterday moHning. Ii
fact he is missing"
And what do you suSpect?"
"That he has been got out OF til,
way" Ia
"And do you mean to accuse Wsto
getting him out of the way, Mr.. Eer
rington?"
II don't accuse anybody, madam. J
shall leave accusations to the police"
CHAPTER VII.
| i'he Somnnmbulist.
Mr.. William Bertin.ton's threat OF
Informing the police CT Joseph Rad
stocks disappearance was only an idle
one, but it produ ed very stubborn
effects. In the first place, the stub.
born. stony silence in which Cicely
heard it woke in him Il more definite
| suspicion than he had vet entertained
as to what had become of the treacli.
erous old clerk: in the second. it re-
duced Cicely's mind to Il state border
ing on insanity Believing all he had
said quite simply, she did not perceive
how impossible it was that he should
bring the disgrace Of a criminal trial
upon one of his own name. The
words in RadStOck's letter about 4 bill
of sale upon the furniture opened out
a new danger. and made him feel that
escape from discovery was becoming
impossible.
Unless
A new thought flashed into her BRAIN
The inner cellar had been closed up
and it's existence had for many years
been unknown to the inhabitants of the
house. until Duke found it out by an
accident. He had discovered it. as
far as she knew. only to herself, Min
na, Algy, Leonard Harvey and Rad
stock himself. Out Of those five wit
nesSes three only remained to be reck-
oned with. Minna's silence she thought
she could see without rousing suspic-
ion; while Leonard and Algy were not
likely to come in contact with any
one who could turn the knowledge to
dangerous account. If. then, Duke
could hide the entrance to the cellar
Just as it had been hidden before,
his crime might remain undiscovered.
even if the police should come. or if
the house should pass to other hands,
Cicely resolved to make this sugges-
ton to her husband us soon as he came
home. She was expecting him every
moment. He was already late, in fact.
The anxious, unhappy wife could not
keep still; she wandered into the din
ing room, into the garden, restlessly
waiting, until she came upon Minna,
with a Telegram open in her hand.
The girl looked disturbed. frightened.
you have had telegram, too! Who
is it from? What is it?' asked Clcely.
But Minna was afraid to tell her.
The young wife looked so CHASTITY and
trembled so much.
ut is upon private business Of mine,
and does not concern YOU" she said,
trying to speak lightly.
But Cicely knew better. Without
wasting more words she seized the pa
per. tore it from Minna's hand and
read the message. 1t was from the
matron of ST Christopher's hospital.
and ran thus:
Mr.. Duke Bennington has been run
over and brought here. Desires to
see you"
Il will co. said Cicely quickly.
"And so will 1. DEAR
They We're both very quiet. Clcely
gave the order for the brousham to be
brought round at once.
On learning that Duke was alive and
in no immediate danger. Minna decid-
ed not to see him. but to let Cicely so
in by herself; for she guessed that the
husband and wife might wish for some
private conversation concerning the
visit of Mr.. William Bennington.
Mr.. Duke was too i'll for that. His
wife was warned before she saw him
that she must say very little. and avoid
all appearance of emotion or excite
ment 1t was with difficulty that she
restrained an outburst of tears us she
bent over his little bed and kissed him.
Then She sat down beside him very
quietly, holding his hand without say
ing anything.
He would not be silent. as she
wished The sight of her excited him
too much for that.
mo, Cicely. l must talk" lie said.
in a weak voice. Il seemed to be nv,
ing through sort of dull dream tlll
you came in. but now l am VIDE
awake, and I must talk myself sleepy
again. You think me very STUPID 10
get run over like that: but L nave been
SO much on the rack lately, and TINS
afternoon my uncle William turned up
and worried me with questions
''Sh. Yes. 1 know. But you must
not talk about that. He's been doWn
to East Hill. and I've seen him. ana
it's all right" ,. +,,, =
ing TO start up, his face full OF desper,,
ate anxiety. And did he,' con1lluea
the patient in q whisper, after mo
ment's pause, worry you With aoes-
tons about Joe Radstock?'
And his expression changed, not 10
one Of remorse, but of loathing. Clcely
was shocked.
Il :old him we knew nothing OF MS
movements after he left us last nlgnt;
That was right, was il not! she salu
in very low voice.
Quite right. OF course. But ne
will find out-he is as cunning as fox,
and then--oh, Cicely!"
"Sh. she said, and she played ten
derby with is fair curls, even While a
H. rnl