Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-05-23

Not needing tnat l3St observations.
Il have paid myself that which was
due to me from the woman of One
Tree Square" continued Aicksey. but
you and l have yet to settle our &C
counts. my friend. for as surely as I
was one of those masked men who
stood beneath that tree on the night of
the Fifth of February, 1907. so surely
were You the other.'
And to all that. the man thus ac-
cused replied only:
Beware. Nicholas Sherman, those
letters are. to you. useless; and by re-
fusing them to me you may destroy
yourself"
He placed his hand in his pocket,
and drew forth bank notes and letters,
standing. however, several feet from
his visitor and keeping wary eye on
his movements.
Having separated the letters from
the bank notes he replaced the latter
in his pocket, and, holding up the form
er. said:
See, here they are!'
The other man was daShing forward
to take them but:
wait a minute!' cried Nicksey. re-
treating as his visitor advanced, and
hrusting the letters back into the OPP
posite pocket to that to which he had
just returned the bank notes.
Il will give YOU those letters when
I have had a fair look at your face,
and you have told me your name,"
said Nicksey quietly.
The other foamed and grinned like
q batfled hyena.
And what's more" cried Nicksey,
T.,
more about you!'
And he leaped forward suddenly and
fastened his hands upon the scarf,
which the wearer had raised so as al
most entirely to conceal his face.
sey's grasp:
If you set the smallest value on
your life. take off your hands!' ex-
claimed the man assaulted.
But Nicksey, Tightening his hold.
cried:
mo. I must be better acquainted
with you. my debtor!"
And then long and terrible strug-
gle ensued between those men; both
determined. both full of deadliest rage:
but Nicksey was surpassed in strength
and in the power of endurance, too, by
his antagonist.
The stranger had forced Nicksey
back upon the table and was bending
over him and grasping him by the
throat when Nicksey at last succeeded
In that which only from the first of
the struggle he had been attempting.
and drew away the scarf which had
hidden from him the others face.
And the men were in such close coD'
.,<,f %1,Nv, hot md
painted, the other felt his adversarys
hot breath uHon his cheek.
The table had been standing near to
the fire, and the light Of the candle on
the chimney-piece cast, as the men
were then placed, it's whole light on the
: features of Nickseys visitor
THAT will do" gasped Nicksey, 81
have had good look at your features
now!'
Nicksey was still held back upon the
table, and now, when striving to rise.
felt the grasp upon his throat grow
frmer even than before; he could not
stir, was suffocating, but heard the
words:
You have seen my features, but
never shall you describe them!' Saw
for moment the blade of poinard
glisten above his head without the
power to stir or utter even the faint
est cry. and then felt the steel driven
deep into his breast.
The man who had struck him then
released his hold of Nicksey. who, with
heavy groan, slid from the table, and
in huddled heap lay upon the floor.
And at that moment arose loud
knocking at the outer door of the
house and the assassin first STA rtp1 a :
though he had been galvanized. then
stood, transfixed with terror, CHASTITY
and immovablc.