Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-05-16


letters into his pocket. A man was
standing in the doorway.
The fire had burned low and the
meagre tallow candle. which ut best
gave but feeble light, had remained
unsnuffed since it had first beer
kindled by Emmeline; so that what
appeared to be. in the semi-darkness
but the shadow Of a human being thus
suddenly and unexpectedly confront
ing Nicksey. it is no wonder that. for
a moment or two. he felt his knees
tremble and creeping sensation about
struggling hairs.
A perfectly innocent man. with the
! most powerful nerves. might have been
shaken by so strange and sudden an
apparition. and Mr.. Nicksey was not
I an innocent man and crime and de-
bauchery hao sadly shattered his Nv
Gus system.
And shadow and substance both hal
he to fear, and was saying to himself f.
SIS it ghost or Bow street runner::'
His doubts rs to the former We're
allavcd as the man strobe heavily TO
the center of the room.
Have you come to grab meg" n elk
seq asked. retreatiDg a step or two.
and clutching the heaviest and best
conditioned of his chairs.
The man shook his head negatively.
We'll. then, let's have loo! at
your
Nicksey topped the candle with his
finger and thumb. and then, With the
light in his hand. advanced to the
stranger and looked him closely over.
But Nicksey gained little by that;
saw only that the stranger was a
rather tall man. with no other dis in
gushing mark about him; for his figure
was we'll concealed by loose great
coat: a scarf was folded around his
throat and chin. and his hat pressed
far down over his brow.
You appear to take good care Of
yourself whoever you arc!' sad Nick
sey. placing the candle on the marte!-
piece.
The night is rather chilly. AMI !
am not very WELL" the stranger said.
"Have you any business with me-"
Nicksey asked, all his boldncss re-
turning.
Yes; if I am not mistaken in my
man."
"My name is Nicksey." staggered
that gentleman. and as if he had goo6
reason to be proud Of his identity.
"Then I must pray you to excuse
me-" said the other
Seemingly about to leave the room.
the stranger stopped when he had
reached the door. and looking back to-
ward Nicksey, said abruptly and sig
nifcantly:
But perhaps you may be able to
tell me where I may hope to find one
Nicholas Sherman?
And Nickscy rebounded a step or
two, stammering out, THAT name"
II see I am right" interrupted the
intruder on Mr.. Nicksey's privacy, and
quietly returning and again closely
confronting him.
"W'ho are your cried Nicksey, his
voice firm again.
DO not be afraid. I am friend"
Il don't recognize you; but, then, you
arc so muffled up
You do not know me- said the
stranger; and as if by mere accident,
placing the table between himself and
the gentleman of the house.
How did you contrive to make your
way into my domicile?'
And in reply to that question Nick
sey's unwelcome guest said he had
found tho street door not perfectly
closed and so had entered without
ceremony. having been saved the
trouble Of knocking.
Course him." muttered Nicksey;
meaning Jarvis, by whom he rightly
conjecturod the door had been left un-
fastened.
Jarvis had pulled the door to after
him. but had not tried if it were prop
erly closed; lie had been in too great
perplexity to think Of that triac.
"And now you are here, should like
to know what you have come for:"
Nicksey next said. and not very anna
bly,.
II have come to save you," was the
reply.
Nicksey laughed That was all rub
bish. he said. There was nothing
against him just at present, he knew
that well enough.
II tell YOU" pursued the stranger
1T is very pressing danger of which
L have come to warn you"
''And what is it all aDout?''
Have you already forgotten the rob-
berry so lately committed by you ut
Mrs. Chesterton's!'
Nicksey laughed again; and this time
more loudly and heartily than before.
"a robbery" he exclaimed; st was
nothing but the settlement of long
standing account between us; now,
am paid, and I will give her, if she
likes a written receipt
And Ni:ksey still laughed on.
81 tell you.' cried the stranger. that,
in consequence of that affair. officers
| are even NOW in search Of YOU
II don't believe Il word of it," Nick
sey said defiantly; "she wouldn't dare"
You employ wrong term, my
friend; from pity" strongly empha-
sizing the word, from pity. perhaps,
she might have spared you"
| "Humbug" cried Nickscy, with q
derisive gesture.
| The other proceeded right on:
| But you had been seen escaping by
the private staircase. and as amongst
MIRA Chcsterton's guests last night
there happened to be n gentleman who
is Il magistrate, orders were ut once
given that you should be pursued"
| Nicksey thought of the letters then