Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-02-28
scented to the new compact he had Just
proposed.
CHAPTER NJ.

shs
To find himself linked with a man OF
Nicksey's stamp--a reckless villain, a
daring robber-was, as will very easily
be judged, most painful to Noel Bar.
rington.
Fortunately the person whom Nick
sey-for Nicksey only was he still to
Emmeline. and her true friend-had
now plundered would not dare to be-
come his prosecutor; and before his
present booty should be gone, and he
was driven again 10 piunder some one
who would not, like Mrs. Chesterton,
be compelled to silence, Noel had good
hope that he would be entirely done
with the ruffian at present so neces
sary to Emmeline and himself.
That the proof of the crime which he
needed had been in that pocket-book.
with the notes which Nicksey had So
daringly stolen, Mrs. Chesterton's
agony and terror after the robbery had
well convinced him.
The loss Of a mere sum Of money, he
reasoned, would not SO have afflicted
her.
And he reasoned rightly: although, Of
course. he knew not that the money
which Nicksey had stolen had been the
whole of Mrs. Chesterton's wealth.
That Noel should see Nicksey again
while all which that worthy had taken
from the pocket-bOok was still intact
in his hand, was of very vital import
ance.
An hour after the robbery harrington
had quilted Mrs. Chesterton's house,
hurrying, with all the speed Of which
the horses, harnessed to Jonas Jarvis
numbering hackney-coach, were capa-
BILE, to Mr.. Nicksey's very far from
elegant abode, in a very far from fash
ionable neighborhood.
Mr.. Nicksey had not returned.
Noel fingered near the house through
half the night, but still Mr.. Nicksey
came not to his home.
Three or four hours devoted to sleep,
and harrington was again at Nicksey's
door; but even then the gentleman
had not returned.
Jonas Jarvis was directed to drive his
fare to within four or five doors OF
the "Sprat and Gridiron."
Having entered the place Of bad char
acters, and equally bad liquors, Noel
found there a crowded and very in
toxicated company, amongst whom,
however. was not Mr.. Nicksey.
AS that gentleman's friend, Barring
ton found himself very warmly wei
coined by an a~ssemblage rather nu-
merous, but not at all respectable.
Nicksey had been there, Noel was
told, through nearly the whole night.
How vexed was our Commercial man"
that he had not sooner thought Of the
"Sprat and Gridiron." Yes, Nicksey
had been there, with plenty OF money,
and had behaved TO his friends with
the utmost liberality; and, as he had
said, needing n little fresh air, had left
them with the intention Of going to
another public-house, and to a fresh
set Of friends.
Noel was told where Nicksey might
then, anE in all probability for several
hours afterward, be found.
harrington had promised that early
In the morning he would be with EN-
incline, to report progress.
He knew bow great would be her
anxiety; and besides, he had important
tidings to reveal to her.
So next toward Emmeline's dwelling
ratified Jonas Jarvis ponderous vehicle.
And when she had all that Noel had
to tell her. Emmeline insisted on ac-
c~ompanying him in his search for Nick
sew.
Closely muft1ed. she took her seat be-
side Noel in the hackney-coach.
When they arrived at the public
house to which harrington rad been d.
rected, Nicksey had been gone from
there about five minutes, he was told.
And after that the fellow appeared
to grow more and more restless in his
~wanderings; for In the course Of the
next two hours those in search Of Nick
sey traced him through at least a dozen
taverns. to overtake him at no N OF
them.
Evening was approaching when at
last Nicksey was fairly hunted down
by those who had been SO long in his
pursuit.
Alightfng from Jonas Jarvis carriage,
In which he left Emmeline seated, be-
fore the door of the tavern to which
Nicksey had been traced, Noel entered
the house and had no need to ask ii
the man he was seeking was there. for
although he saw him not, he very plain
ly heard him.
Nicksey was somewhere on the prem
Uses. and shouting and screeching with
all his might.
Noel, opening a door, and looking
into a large room, saw Nicksey stand
ing on a strong and common deal Ia
BILE, swaying about In a way that prom
ised him every moment a tumble to
the floor, and shouting wildly, as we
have already said, and in a state almost
Of drunken frenzy.
To Be Continued.)