Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-11-22

the scent of heliotrope now, though
many years have gone by since it
floated to my nostrils that night, With
out the scene recurring to my mind
most wildly.
f 1t was clear to me that my father
was now acting under the influence Of
some great terror. His face was white
and rigid. There We're beads of per-
spiration'on his forehead, and ever and
anon he glanced at the window as
though expecting an attack. He
stopped once more and put his fingers
beneath the left flap of the mans
coat, but scarcely had he touched the
clothing than he drew them back
quickly, and ! saw upon them that
which told me how the man had come
to his end.
I felt my fathers terror communicate
ing itself to me. I looked for him to
rush from the place and summon the
police; I could scarcely refrain from
shouting. or screaming, to break the
awful silence. and I had well-nigh
come to the end of my self-control
when he whispered:
Get back to the room above.
Quick!'
I needed no second bidding. and as
flew up the stairs two at a time, I
could hear him locking the door Of the
room wherein the man lay.
He followed me closely.
Dress yourself" said he. sharply, as
I stood there shivering with terror and
cold. @Dress yourself. and put your
old clothes into your portmanteau. I'll
collect my papers and things" and III
less than quarter of an hour we
stood, baggage in hand, ready to de-
part from the ill-omened house.
care you going to inform the po-
lice?" asked, as he took up the can
die.
He put it and his bag down.
Listen to me, Jack" he said. Il
mayn't have much time to give you
advice in the morning: but il you set
any value on my life or any store by
your own. you'll never tell a soul what
you've seen tonight. If we appear in
this case our lives would probably not
be worth a days purchase. I shall
contrive in some way or other to send
the police here. We can't do the poor
fellow below any good"
do you know him?" I asked.
mo; I have seen him before. but I
found something beside him that tells
me plainly enough who planned the
deed"
"Then Why not tell?"
81 can't explain to you. Jack: YOU
must trust me, absolutely. l am act
ing for your interest, so pull yourself
together. You've been a plucky boy;
don't break down now. We must get
away from this, and we mustn't let
anyone see us going"
He blew out the light, and we
CROPPED our way down stairs and past
that door, and 1 was thankful when
we found ourselves in the street and
felt the cool night air on our faces. 1t
was nearly II O'Clock. but, after a long
walk. we found shelter in Il lodging
house near Tottenham Court Road,
and ] was glad to nestle down in bed,
and, pulling the sheet over my head,
tried to forget the awful sight L had
seen, and at last fell asleep.
When I awoke it was broad daylight
and L was alone. I looked about me,
and on the table saw a small packet
addressed For My Dear Son."
opened it, and found within a letter
written in pencil, and as / read and re-
read it until I knew every word OF it,
and as it explains my position exactly
cannot do better than reproduce it
here, as nearly as possible.
My dear son. it began, without
mention of day or place. 'you will be
surprised when you find that I have
left you, and you will be still more so
jo11 t1,of G III inn
possible for me to say when we shall
foregather again. We have been such
close companions for SO many years
that our parting causes me the great
est pain. You have been lad of grit
"a boy after my own heart. Be brave
now, and comfort yourself with the
thought that at this crisis of our af-
fairs I am trying to act the part OF
loving father as earnestly and faith
fully as ever I did when we We're to-
gether.
"I am leaving England at once, and
my fight is connected with the awful
event of which you have just been
witness. ! thought at first that my
enemy had found me out. but, on re-
Election. have come to the conclusion
that it is only coincidence that what
happened to that poor man should
have happened in the house where
CHANGED to be. Still, it is a warning to
me. I would stay aud take my chance,
but that for your sake life is very pre-
cious to me now, and shall be able,
just as We'll, at distance, to bring to
maturity certain schemes that will eI.
rich you.
"My dear. dear boy, can under.
stand how puzzled you will be by all
these mysterious hints at hidden dan
ger; but if I explained matters fully
should be laying upon your young
shoulders a burden that has CALLED
mine for years, and I should be mar
ring the brilliant career which I be-
lieve lies before you. Why not seek
the protection of the police? you may
ask. My dear boy, the. police could
give us no help years ago, and they
can give none now. Rest assured that
whenever it is safe for me to do so,
shall rejoin you; but until that happy
hour arrives you must be guided by
me- and follow out the directions am
about to give you.
''You will find a purse under your
pillow, with plenty of money for your