The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-08-21

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prodigious appetite was to Tony the
only result Of his watching so far.
There was q tavern near; and, after
well looking each way, and seeing that
the coast was clear, and that no one
either approach or quit the baronet's
house In the moment he would be alb
sent, Tony darted into the tavern, and
almost instantly returned to his hiding
place, q huge lump Of bread and cheese
in one hand, and q foaming tankard In
the other.
1t was approaching dusk and Tony
was, seemingly, no nearer than ever to
the end at which he was aiming.
But evidently Tony had not lost
heart, for. his thoughts were, THAT
chap is determined not to throw away
a chance if he can help it; but he will
think all safe now, and presently will
begin to play his little game"
About ten minutes later, 'Now for
it!' Tony said to himself, as he saw a
boy approach the baronet's house and
ring the servants bell.
The door was opened, the lad gave q
note; then, as Tony could understand,
was invited into the hall to wait for
an answer, for in he went, and the
door was closed.
Now, at last Tony's equanimity was
painfully, and he trembled with excite
ment, as he felt that the crisis Of his
brothers fate, his own, and that Of
their dear old grandmother was up
preaching.
That's a note from the thief"
thought Tony.
And when, presently, he saw the door
Of the baronet's house opened again,
and the boy who had just before en-
tered, come forth, "And that boy has
got an answer from Mr.. Stanley Clare
mont to fix the place Of meeting; and
it won't be long before Mr.. Stanley
Claremont shows his nose in the
street." determined Tony, in his own
mind; and had no doubt but Stanley
would be very weary Of his long con-
finement in the house-from which, Of
course, he had not dared to stir before
hearing from his accomplice and glad
again to taste little fresh air.
In about half an hour Stanley, as
Tony had predicted, emerged from the
house; and, having stared every way,
started of on foot, and ut swift pace.
"He hasn't far to SO, or he would
have called cabs" and he followed
Claremont, keeping, however, at a very
respectful distance.
After proceeding down three or four
streets Stanley stopped before q quiet
hotel; again stared rapidly, to ascertain
IL Tony were ut his heels, and then
darted into the hotel and disappeared;
but not SO quickly as to elude Tony's
observation.
Arrived In front Of the hotel, and at
point whence several streets d.
verged, Tony would now have no diff
Guilty in keeping himself from the view
of those by whom, as yet, it was most
essential that he should not be seen.
And Tony had great advantage in
the fact that it was now night, and he
had but to avoid the glare Of light from
the shops to be quite secure from dis
covery.
new post when he saw Abraham Nail
er come creeping around the corner Of
q street; and, stopping near the hotel,
look all about him, and just as eau
tiously and uneasily as Stanley Clare
mont had looked but a little while be-
fore from the same spot.
'sNow shall leave them BOTH"
thought Tony, land their game is near
ly played out" $.&
( And Tony further saw that, for the
next hour or two, he was likely to be
very busy, and made up his mind that
Stanley Claremont's well built internal
machine, which had been used with
such deadly effect to others, was now
about to burst with it's final explosion,
and utterly destroy the inventor.
Abraham Mailer had placed his foot
on the first of the steps which led up
to the door Of the hotel, and then he
quickly again withdrew 1t.
Tony wondered what could be the
meaning Of that movement-had he
been seen by Abraham Mailer?
No-impossible! Something, how
was disturbing the peddler, for he ap-
peared in deep and perplexed thought.
And, in truth, Abraham was remind
ing himself. that, in Sir Loghlen's
nephew, he had an awkward customer
to deal with, and must mind what he
was about, or he would get all the
kicks, while Stanley would obtain all
the profit OF the little business just
now In hand between them.
Claremont would believe that leaf Of
the sale-book still in the peddler's pos
session, would think to find It upon
him, and quite capable of having ar.
ranged in an apartment Of that hotel
q nice little trap, in which Abraham
should be caught beyond all hope Of
extrication.
i So, and very sensibly, with due re-
gard to the safety Of his precious self,
reasoned Abraham Mailer.
And having reflected q few moments
further, the peddler drew forth an old
andtrusty pocketbook, took from it q
scrap Of paper, which, after having
written on it several lines, slowly and
deliberately he replaced in the pocket
book; then he brought from his waist
coat pocket very small key, which
he lodged beside the paper he had just
written.
Abraham had no wish to withhold
from Stanley that important Leaf, only
Q certain price would have to be paid
for Il, that was all.
Il Stanley Claremont had laid q trap
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