Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-04-18
CHAPTER xvI-(continucd).

CHAPTER xvI-(ContinucG.
AS the outer door was forced this
daring man blew out the light and
easily and quickly found his way
again to the back room. saying to him
self. with hooking smile:
You will arrive too Late, Master
Noel Darlington
And was dropping from the window
there at tho very moment that Noel
and Doctor Forester had driven open
the door of the front room.
1t was. then, not Nicksey himself
but NickSeyS assassin before whom
Emmcline had fallen senscfess; and it
would have gone hard with our poor
heroine but that the man was We'll as
suled that she had not seen his face.
and WAS. moreover, III too great peril
then himself to stay for that which
otherwise. perhaps. he had been very
willing to accomplish.
Doctor Forester applied restoratves
and Emmeine presently revived.
Recovering consciousness and recng-
niAiils that some one WAS supporting
her. she said family. yet Gag rriy, is
it you. Mr.. Barrington:'
And with rage Edwin was about to
thrust her from him. but remembered
that She was still feeble. his arms still
necessary for her support.
SO FORESTER replied. TREMENDOUSLY.
NO. Miss Redmond, it is not
Before he had proceeded further:
"EdWin!' cclaimed Emmrlinc. free
ing herself frcnn his hold. and confront
ing Linn, continued. cXcitedy. How
came you hithcr? BY what means have
you attained to the knowledge Of
and stopped abruptly.
Edwin replied not to these questions,
hut said:
ARE you sufficiently recovered to
return into the house? Mr.. Barring
ton las arrived" he continued with
bitter emphasis.
"Oh, thank heaven cried Emme-
line.
Edwin muttered something and
ground his teeth together; yet rendered
his arm to Emmelinc, nevertheless;
but she rejected his offered support
and tottcred forward u1laided.
As these two reached the passage OF
the house they We're met by Darlington
and Jarvis, who had entered by the
front door, the latter carrying in his
hand one of the lanterns of his coach.
few almost whispered words and
all assembled the stairs. Burlington.
VINO had s1eltched the lantern from
Jarvis. leading THE Way.
About to enter the room all suddenly
stopped. and for a moment breathed
not, for all had distinctly heard
heavy groan.
Noel threw around the room the light
of his lantern. and Nicisey was seen
lying on the floor almost beneath the
table and weltering in his blood.
~ mullcrr exclaimed Edwin
NickSey nodded and pointed with his
finger toward the way by which the
assassin had escaped.
While the other two men raised Nick
sey and laid him on his miserable bed
jarvis lighted the candle on the Chin
ncypiece and with it made his way to
the back room; the window was open.
and. looking forth. Jarvis perceived
how easy flight had been to the muir
derer.
oh, help me! help me!' groaned
Nicksey. do not let me die; 1 must
live to be avenged"
Know you your assassin" qucs-
toned Noel.
moaned Nicksey.
incline. with difficulty holding herself
erect and pale almost as was the man
then dying near her.
But have you learned the name of
that MANI" demanded Noel.
Nicksey feebly shook his head.
And wherefor this new crime:"
The better to conceal the former
one; in order to secure the silence Of
his accomplish
"You-his accomplice!" exclaimed
Noel.
Yes; am Nicholas Shearmanw
Emmelnc had been standing beside
the dying rufffan's bed: the horror She
felt conquered by the eagerness to OBJ
tain the proofs which she had hope
would clear her fathers name; but
now she shrank far from him, shud-
dered and was appalled,.
But her terrified looks were still
fixed on the face Of Nicholas Shear.
man-of him who had been an accom-
plice In the crime for which her father
had so unjusuy persisted on the scat
fold.
''Oh! Is this man indeed about to
die" cried Darlington, appealing to
Forester,
No, nor gasped Nicksey, grooming
and wrfthing. "He struck hard and
deep, but III know the wound is not
fatal one"
Doctor Forester probed the wound.
A stiffness us Of the grave was in that
room While all were awaiting his de-
cision. Nicksey glared wildly into Ed
wins face. The stricken mans doom
was about to be pronounced.
few moments Of terriUle suspense.
and then, again concealing Nicksey's
= wound from view Forester, address
ing the miserable, unpre1nred wretch.
said solemnly: Pray that heaven may
ave mercy on your soul"
what! must die?" and Nicksey
trembled and clasped his hands. mot
even dayY'
Not even an hour" was the reply.
But that hour must hnve!' Nick