The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-01-25
CHAPTER yIII-fce.taavsa.,

THAT is secret" was the reply.
(Which you known interpossd EN-
incline.
"And there are secrets worth mines
Of gold" shouted Nicksey.
Especially when they can make the
guilty trelnble," suggested Emmelinc.
And Nicksey, growing more tipsy
every moment, muttered, 1.-THE guilty,
yes: there were three Of them"
Noel and Emmeline again glanced to-
wards each other.
'lsut there Is certain reason why
one Of them should not be counted!'
mumbled Nicksey.
"And that one was Nicholas Shear.
man, whom the others had killed." was
the thought which occurred at the
same moment to both Noel and Emme.
line.
And then Nicksey, for a moment
arousing himself, said suddenly, "Never
mind-tlats enough-we'll talk no
more about it."
What harm among friendsY urged
Noel.
And you know that we are your
friends:". insinuated Emmellne.
YES. true" and Nicksey rolled his
Eyes from one to the other of them.
You are Of the right sort; fear moth
ing"
Nothing" answered harrington.
And Emmeline said. earnestly, LET
but the occasion arrive and hope to
give YOU proof Of that"
Having again emptied his glass Nick
scy said:
We'll, look here; I propose part
nefs...p between u.s."
(which we accept" Emmeline hast
lily exclaimed.
Good! Twill be IL rare heap of
money; II we succeed, We share and
share alike"
"fou are. Of course. abiding to that
old debit" Noel said quietly.
Yes. yes" cried Nicksey. "I'll tell
YOU I'LL about 1t. 1t was on the seventh
If February
AT One Tree Square," interrupted
Emmcline. =
Exactly! Two of those accomplices
knew each other. and So"
But here the fellows drunken mood
again changed. and he exclaimed,
Never mind. We'll say no more about
1t tonight"
Hut harrington caused fresh bowl
OF punch to be brought and skilfully
led Nicksey agnin to speak of those
two acc0mplices whom lie before had
mentioned.
And then Nicksey told how they were
"lonktsl and masked. US was indeed
the third In that nights dreadful piece
'f work; told. in fact, piece by piece,
all he knew of that atrOcity which was
committed, us we have seen, on the
aiglt of the 9Th Of February, 1907.
And when he had fully spoken
You saw the crime committed? ~
questioned Noel. .-
recklessly.
And having drunk of another glass
IT p,ncl-"Isn't there mans fortune
in such a secret?" he cried, with q
drunken ,chuckle.
"For that,' said Emmeline, ut would
he necessary to know at least one of
those who were concerned In the
crime, and all three of them were
masked"
well, 1 know that" Mickey cried,
with great pomposity of manner; land
haven't told you that, when receiv.
ing the child, the woman removed her
nnlsk:"
NO! no! you had not told US that"
his two companions eagerly exclaimed
II though had; but it's a fact
thought
Eugenia Reckless. while cautiously
averting her face from Emmeline'i
father, had permitted 1t to bs well and
plainly seen by Nicksey, for a streak Of
moonlight, making Its way through
and lighted up her every feature.
L ~ af1dxa NfoGooS, xx,oro 81
live for Il hundred years, SHOULD
never forget that facet"
Darlington ventured to doubt that
and Nicksey asserted that he had hat
II proof Of It, for he was quite certain
that he had seen her again.
"YOu have seen that woman again ?
EmMeline very excitedly demanded.
And Nicksey answered that, whel
leaving London, about six weeks be
forc-from which city he had though
1t best for awhile to absent himself
he was passing one Of the west-ent
theatres Just Us the audience were quit
ting II, q man shouted out ut the tOl
Of his voice:
Mrs. Chesterton's cnrriage!'
Aud us she walked towards 1t, Nick
sey had a full view of Mrs. Chestertol
herself. and would take his solemn
oath that she was the masked woman
Of One Tree Square.
Asked by Burlington II he did no
strive to follow the carriage, Nickse,
answered that 1t might have beef
awkward for himself just then.
And, besides. he was for the mo
ment 80 utterly astOunded, and 30 jos
tied about by the crowd, that it wa
some time before he knew agail
whether he was on his head or hi
heels.
London is q big place." Nickse!
said, in conclusion; but give me time
and 1 shall hunt her out!.
"And we will assist you! We are no
the boys to leave a friend in a diff
cultyw Noel exclaimed, with grea
seeming magnanimity. "A lady VIII,
has a carriage, and all that, must b
rich. and rich people are always to b.
discovered"
Nicksey gave his address, that his new
friends might. ON the following day
visit him at his lodgings, and theI
they. nll three. quilted the "Sprat an,
GrldirOn.'
When outside the house, Nicksey pro
posed that they should take a walk to
gether.
Burlington said that the lad mus
be allowed to 60 home at once, for b
had made rather too free with tn
punch; and Nicksey, who was still tol
elably steady ON his legs, laughed
and shouted to Emmeline, Yes; g
home to your mother, youngster; yol
will be better seasoned after you hav
kept my company u few weeks longer.
And Darlington found Opp0rtunit,
to whisper to Emmeline, THAT mus
have been the Eugenia who wrote TIM
letter which ! 80 strangely found"
"Oh. / am full Of hope! My mothel
has prayed for US, and heaven protect
u.s." Emmeline fervently exclaimed. >
Nickscy linked his arm within that o
harrington, and the two men, O.
'trangcly assorted, walked forwar,
Ogatlier.
That Noel was anything but delighte,
f" lind himself pacing the street
with such IL companion by his side, vii
~ very readily believed.
Eat he bore 1t rs well as he might
since Ills entire submission to ever!
wish and command of MFR. Nickse,
;.ls. for the present. Mt least. absG
.utely necessary for the purpose be hat
II view
Thcy had reached Oxford street wbe,