The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-04-19
CHAPTER XIX.
Faith and False hoOI.

Nicksey had been dead some hours
when carriage was driven smartly
up and brought to q stand-still before
Viscount Darcleigh's mansion.
1t was decided about o'clock of the
morning when the viscount's drowsy
porter was for the moment aroused
master,
There were just then some import
ant political matters in agitation, and
1t was the discussion of those which
had detained Visconnt Dareleigh 30
unusually late at Ills club, whence
his coachman had just conveyed him.
Deeply interested, the viscount had
gone thlther very early on the pre-.
cedinE evening. and there Is no doubt
thug lha members and walters were
under the l4nprnssl0n that lie had not
once quilted the building until his
final departure for hong, which lie
had taken care to render & vsry con-
spicuous circumstance.
Many a loud good night" had he
uttered and many n hand had he
shaken: lis threw, too, few affable
words to the bowling walters us he
passed them on his way to the car
riagc.
The viscount reached his own apart
ments in very comfortable state Of
mind. tIa had nothing more to fear
from Nicholas SAaarman's indiscre-
tion.
Tho blow which had been dealt that
dangerous rufiian had gone home, and
he had not survived 1t al instant; the
viscOunt was perfectly convinced Of
that.
But even supposing that the fellow
had fingered for awhile, he would
have been unable accurately to de-
scribe the viscoupts features from
the single glance he had obtained Of
them.
And, besides. not any description
which Nicholas might have given.
could be made to apply to Viscount
Darelsigh, for the whole long evening
he had not once been missed from his
club.
So that, even IL an impossibility had
occurred. and Nicholas Shearman had,
q second time, escaped with his life
from out the clutches of his former
employer. st,.l had the yiscount moth
ing to fear.
But the miserable wretch would
have died without knowing the hand
by which he had been struck; and the
vlscouAt had no longer anything to
dread from those letters which he had
SO dearly purchased.
He drew them from the pocket into
/ which he had thrust them, and read
them through; and as he read, was
saying to himself that Eugenia had
not deceived him: those ietters might
have been made the means of his de-
structiOn.
He threw those letters into the Ore,
and, smiling blandly. watched them
/ as they burned.
When lie had seen them reduced to
ashes:
"Impunity Is now certain" was his
mental exclamation, 'and now aud
henccforth I may defy Emmeline
Lindsay and her gallant champion,
Master Noel Darlington. both"
Aud then he retired to rest, and was
soon in sound and tranquil slumber
Rather late on the morning at which
we have now arrived Viscount Dare
leigh arose greatly refreshed, and with
u sense Of perfect safety.
Presently Mrs. Chesterton, whom
for the time he had forgotten, required
to his thoughts, and his brow knitted
and he stamped his foot Impatiently.
Over biz breakfast he communed
with himself concerning her.
| Eugenia had revealed to him the
danger. aud would demand from him
the ful6lment Of the PROMISE which
on the previous day be had made to
her.