The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-02-22
CHAPTER II.


To find himself linked with a man Of
Nicksey's stamp-a reckless villain, q
daring robber-was, a. 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 frlend-had
now plundered would not dare to be-
come his prosecutor; and before his
present booty should be gone, and he
was driven again to plumber 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 go neces-
sary to Emmeline and himself.
needed had been In that pocket-book,
with the notes which Nicksey had so
daringly stolen, Mrs. Chesterton's
we'll convinced him.
The loss of q mere sum Of money, he
reasoned. would not 80 have afflicted
her.
And he reasoned rightly; although, of
which Nicksey had stolen had been the
That Noel should see Nlcksey again
from the pocketbo0k was still intact
In his hand, Was of very vital import
ance.
An hour after the robbery Darlington
had quilted Mrs. Chesterton's house,
hurrying. with all the speed Of which
the horses. hspnessed to Jonas Jarvis
honhnAv xUoRn nano
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 Darlington 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 i've doors Of
the "Sprat and Gridiron."
Havlng entered the place Of bad char
acters, and equally bad liquors, Noel
found there crowded and very In
toxicated company, amongst whom,
however. was not Mr.. Nicksey.
As that gentleman's friend, Barring
ton found himself very warmly vel
coined by an assemblage 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,
ns,nl HHoA To hi %nfn A.
the utmost liberallty; and, as he had
them with the intention Of going to
set Of friends.
Noel was told where Nicksey might
then, and In all probability for several
hours afterward. be found.
Darlington had promised that early
In the morning he would be with Em-
incline, to report progress.
He knew how 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 al that Noel had
to tell her, Emmeline insisted on ac-
companying him In his search for Nick
sey.
Closely mumed. 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 dozen
taverns. to overtake him at no one Of
them.
Evening was approaching when at
last Nicksey was fairly hunted down