The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-04-29
WHEKRT NE

writing!
NO" replied Dick, Il V saw it in
my life: but"
But o a guess the author, Ell ?
Hmm, so much the worse! If you will
excuse my freedom, Captain Est
court
Stop" cried Dick. II must warn
you that these are intimate friends of
mine," and he blushed crimson.
Mr.. Wickerby looked at him curious
ly. They must be-" he said, Every in
innate, l should say, to venture upon
such a proposal as this"
Hang it!' cried Dick, you don't
suppose he meant it seriously? It's a
joke, of course"
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
Not in very good taste as a joke" he
said; but after all it doesn't meter;
the letter contains it's own answer. and
there's an end of It,"
What do you mean?" asked Dick.
How does it contain it's own answer p"
silence, in this case, was to give re-
fusal; consent was only to be inferred
from a particular act"
Dick vas thunderstruck at this, and
lost his head.
'~4ANs tN
Went where?" asked the other,
sharply.
ITO Great Russell street"
You went to Great Russell street?
And what, in the name Of goodness. did
you do that for? Do you know, Captain
Estcourt," he continued, severely.
what we lawyers call this kind Of
thing? 'Adhering to the sovereign's en-
emies'; 'levying war against our lord
the king'-that's what we call it, sir.
An overt act of treason, and you and
your friends make a joke of it,"
But that was not why | went" said
Dick, in confusion. II hadn't had the
note then. The man himself had al
ready asked me to go for quite a differ
ent purpose"
Here the maid entered to lay the
cloth. and both were silent.
III explain it all to you after dinner
said Dick. In the meantime let us
settle the business you came about"
This was done, and occupied them
for somewhat less than half an hour,
at the end of which time they set down
to table.
Dick was preoccupied, and the con-
versation dragged. His guest eyed him
doubtfully from time to time. and he
was uneasily conscious Of the fact.
Presently he got up and went TO the
bell.
Il quite forgot" he said, as he pulled
the cord, II never asked about that
note being open"
Il don't understand" said Mr.. Wick
THE seal was broken when I found
it,"
The lawyer locker puzzled. Sure"
he asked.
Certain" Dick replied. 1.-THE letter
a been opened, beyond a doubt"
That's awkward. I'm afraid any one
may "a read it would think you
kept queer company"
The maid appeared in answer to the
bell.
Jane" said Dick, holding up the let
ter, who brought this?"
THE gentleman wrote it here, sir
Excuse me- said Mr.. Wickerby. in
terrupting. but | should like to ask
her a question or two; I'm used to this
kind of thing, you know"
"All right" said Dick: you'll do it
better than I should"
The lawyer turned to cross-examine
Jane, who was beginning to be
alarmed.
What gentleman" he asked.
Il don't know his name, sir"
Did you know him by sight"
Yes. sir; he came here once, a week
ago, with Captain Estcourt."
What time was it when he wrote the
letter."
about 1890 In the morning, sir. as
near as I could say"
Did you see him fasten it up?"
Yes, sir; l brought him the wax and
held the taper myself"
What did he do with it them"
"He gave it to inc, sir, and / put
it on the chimney-piece."
You are sure the seal was unbroken
them"
Yes. sir; quite sure"
And who has been in here during
the day?"
mo one, sir, but me and Captain Est
court"
Then" sale the lawyer, with sever
'ty, lit was you who broke the seal;
come now. tell the truth"
mo, sir; indeed. 1t was not" said the
girl, in great distress.
who was 1t, them"
Captain Estcourt, l suppose, sir"
she replied, almost In tears.
But he was out"
II thought he must have come back,
sir, and gone out again. / remember
noticing that the letter had been opened
when / came in to see to the fire, and
| said TO myself, Then he must have
been home again."
What time was that"
THAT would be about II. sir"
You're certain no one else came in?"
They couldn't nave done, sir, without
ringing. Captain Estcourt, III has a
latchkey. but others must ring
Mr.. Wickerby saw that she was not