The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-09-10
CHAPTER XXuI-(Continued)

dacity to conceal the leaf within that
apartment! Sydney's brother would
arrive at the hour he had named, and
which presently would strike.
All SANKEY'S enemies would be there;
he would be disgraced before them and
before his uncle's amazed guests.
oh, to be at the mercy OF the
wretches whom he deSpised!
Twas so he raved; and then he
vainly strove to be calm and to reflect,
and passed his handkerchief across his
brow, to wipe away the cold perspira-
ton with which it was believed, and
which Immediately again, and in large
beads, started out and covered it.
In all probability Tony DrummOnd
had arrived, Stanley reflected; and as
again his eyes travelled around the
apartment, where can he have hid
den it?" Stanley asked himself.
Hurriedly and wildly he commenced
his search. In every corner Of the room
he hunted, in and beneath the orna-
ments on the chimney-piece, In drawers
of tables; no object escaped his scruti-
ny.
Presently he had reached his book
case.
1t must be here, he told himself, and
threw open the door.
Then he paused and dashed his hands
to his head.
Tc search the books, one by one! He
could not do it-nO, impossible! He
would die before he had accomplished
that task: and besides, there was not
time-it wanted a lew minutes only to
i o'clock.
Then. violently rcclosing the book
case, he hurried across the room to
his bureau, to look on it one moment,
and then turn away again.
NO, no; not there!" he exclaimed,
now almost frenzied. But where, then?
oh, heaven, whereT"
His eyes again wandered around the
room from object to object, rested
presently on the ebony Golfer, which
stood upon a table In the very center of
the apartment.
The leaf was there, perhaps! He
darted towards the Golfer; and then,
and as quickly as he had approached,
again turned from it.
No, no; not there would Abraham
have concealed that leaf.
And then again he looked towards
the Golfer, and started with a wild
hope. There was no key within the
lock.
hhu III hty Hdu Dctu tucIc-WdS III
ways there: not ne had removed It; and
yet 1t vas gone.
A precious piece of evidence for him
the leaf. was there; yes. he was GER
tain of it; the leaf had been hidden by
Abraham in that Golfer, and Stanley
was saved, would triumph over and
laugh to scOrn Sydney DrummOnd and
the valiant Tony!
AS Stanley grasped the Golfer there
was a soft but hurried tapping at the
dOor which opened on the garden.
The casEet fell from Claremont's
hand back on to the table, and he stood
transfiXed, trembling and listening.
The mysterious tapping was repeat
ed. and then Stanley knew who was
there.
He hurried to the door and admitted
Abraham Mailer, who staggered in,
livid almost as n cOrse, and with
widely-staring eyes, and his ~ill-favored
features still more distorted by the
scared expression which was on them.
Stanley again secured the door, and
Abraham, painting and gasping, leaned
against it, seemingly to save himself
from falling.
$50, it is you, at last?'' said Stanley.
"Yes! hoarsely whispered the
peddler.
Now observing Abraham's plight:
what Is the matter with your in
quired Stanley.
"Nothing!" answered the peddler, his
breath returning, and his bOldness too,
now that he believed himself in safety.
Come said Stanley, ''let us hasten
the hour is about to striker
Don't be afraid" said Abraham.
riuypitn, ptlx, s.I,O will not nn,,n't
Stanley recoiled a step.
You have lot"
The peddler nodded.
"A second" Stanley shuddered,
and could not complete the sentence.
PAY me!' demanded Abraham.
'That leaf?" questioned Stanley.
""Tis there!' and Abraham pointed
to the Golfer.
Stanley had been prepared to hear
that.
Pay me" again said Abraham.
Stanley unlocked his bureau, and
took from it a parcel of bank notes.
Those notes Stanley had been long i'm
gathering together: ri%ghtfully they
were his uncle's, for by anything but
honest means had the Baronet's
nephew obtained possession of them.
There is your money" said Stanley,
giving the bank notes to the peddler.
Now, quickly, the key Of that Golfer"
Abraham was silent till he had
slowed the bank notes safely away in
a pocket beneath the lining of his vest,
and then said carelessly: The key Is
no longer in my possession"
Cheating scOundrel" cried Stanley.
"Nonsense!" said Abraham. Break
the casket Open"
But hOw-with what can l to force
that lock?' exclaimed Stanley.