Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-07-05
]: A LACK OF PROOF

TUE Lord hath delivered You into
my hands," Dick looked al the
speaker, Lieut.. Curwen, of the revenue.
seated on the kcg i'll lr.umph; he
looked at the landlord Of the Green
Dragon, prisoner like himself; at the
two revcnne men who guarded the
door, and he thought do!efuilT that
there was some tr,th in the lieutenants
remark. All night Dick had been GU.
in the Betsy Jane. and though, OF
course. being a mere visitor to this lit
tie seaside inn. he had only gone for
the sake Of the sail and the excitement.
it vas impossible to deny that, when
the lugger dropped anchor in the black
pool some time before dawn, Is kegs
had been landed, and he had helped 10
land them. For all Dick careti'-or
knew-thcy might have contained wa
ter. Fourteen went into the country
iii the charge of silent men who seemed
to know their road even by that half
light. One, notwithstanding the re-
monstranccs Of the Betsy James skip
per. Who declared it a dangerous pro-
ceeding. had been placed on q bar
row and wheeled up to the Green
Dragon by Dick and Mr.. Prcndergasi,
landlord OF the same. Prcndergast was
positive that the gaugcrs had no ink
ling of the landing; Dick was content
to regard the cask as a casl-whic}l
might contain water. The conse-
quence was that no sooner had they in
stalled the kcg in this attic than a rap
at the door came, followed by the en-
try of Lieut.. Curwen and a dozen rev.
enue men. Dick and the landlord We're
at once arrested. That was the miser-
able fact. True, Prendcrgast. before
he lapsed into sulky silence. had con-
veyed TO Dick that the other II kegs,
ten Of his men. were safe from pursuit.
But there was little consolation in that.
The fact remained that here was the
discriminating keg, and the lieutenant
seated upon it in fanatical triumph.
He was only waiting for the return of
his men before he took the prisoners
and the spoil up to the squire's.
Dick looked the miserable fact in he
face. The worst of it was that the
squire would take the lieutenant S
view. for he detestedj smuggling. No
doubt Dick could show the absurdity
of pressing such a charge against him
seriously, but to have been found aid
ing or abctting, even by his presence,
would lose him the squire's favor,
which he had been at desperate pains
to acquire. Probably, too, it would
lose him the squire's consent-not yet
besought-to the hand of his daugh-
ter Besides, it Was this Curwcn's tri-
umph The. long-faced, fanatical fell
low was jealous. pointless though his
jealousy was. He had waited for his
chance against Dick, and seemed tc
fancy he had got it.
The Lord hath delivered yew into
my hands, he repeated
''Think 500" said Dick, obviously.
''rcw of my men saw yew landing
kegs from the luggcr; they saw yew
wheel this one in Il barrow up to tn
inn--''
Its uncommonly hard work wheel
ing IL barrow said Dick.
Twill not assist yew TO make /;
mockery of your crime"
TRUE. my dear sir, quite true sale
Dick, fcigning a lcvity he did not feel
''But YOU see my contention is that
so far as I'm awarc-therc is no brand,
in that key"
The lieutenant did not Gagn to re
ply, but drummed his heels on tn
cask. which gave back u gurgling
liquorish sound.
'soda water, perhaps" Dick suggest
cd, pleasantly.
\ knock was heard at the door. ant
the lieutenant said, "Coom in. pomr
ously. Entered Sal Prcndergast, witt
a tear-stained face.
"'Tis letter." she said, elit1idently
''for Mr. Shcnston."
MAY the captive of your spear re
ceive communications? ." Dick asked
atfably.
From whom does the letter come:
demanded the lieutenant
''From Miss Judy. sur" said Sal. an
his brows contracted angrily. Ssh
was passen and seed me cryen-'
''Thou shalt not mourn for tn
wicked" said the lieutenant.
Not eff ma fathers taken by til
gaugers an charged O. runner kags
Sal flashed out. Miss Judy dew nc
think so, and when 1 tailed her sh
said it was shcame-"
"Feace. girl" said the lieutenant.
What more did she say?" Die
asked, eagerly.
"Nothen of Importance" said Sal.
The lieutenant had taken possessio
of the note and was examining tt
superscription. If he had opened
as he seemed half inclined to d
Dicks crime would have extended
assault and battery. But he handle
it over, saying, grimly:
''It's going beyond my dewties-b'
if l know squire, it'll be the last yo
get"
You certainly go beyond yo,
duties said Dick, opening it tende
ly. Evidently Miss Judy had been di
trustful of the duteous lieutenant. f
the note was written in Frenc
Translated it ran:
keep the lieutenant in convcrs