Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-02-01
check-book was lying open upon writ

ing table.
well, ta-ta for the moment. old fel-
low," said Mr.. Blake, apparently ac-
ceptiGg my temperance as a signal
for leave-taking. "If I'm anywhere
near Broadstone I'll see you off. Good
day, Mr-er-Watson."
There was poorly-veiled insolence
in the mans tone that convinced me
the mistake in my name was intention
nj, and am slow at pocketing an af-
front
SHOULD you ever have occasion to
address NE again." retorted. 'be good
enough to remember that my name is
Weston"
He looked at me as though about to
complicate matters by an angry re-
joinder. but suddenly seized his hat
| ard quilted the room.
".rhank Heaven" calculated Captain
Alncwood-hut he offered 10 further
explanation. and l was left to form my
own conclusions for my abrupt dlsnis-
sal and the presence of the check book
upon the table.
Once mere l felt myself upon the
horns of an awkward dilemma. had
been sent away, and, during my alb
sense. Philip Blake had received a
check. This much seemed quite clear
But why had this check been given to
him? Was it merely the usual sop
thrown to Il harl-up kinsman by the
head of the family? Or was it-blacll-
mail? There are times when one has
to decide upon Il prompt course of ac-
ton at moments notice. This was
one of them. Fair or unfair. good
form or bad. deemed it essential that
l should know something more about
that check, and my instant thought
was to examine the counterfeit. This
l did, under preteXt of handing the
chez k-booll to it's owner. The last
check was dra WI in favor of Richard
Blake. Esq, or Bearer. for $3.50. And
fhis was the exact amount payable to
Blogg by the stranger. on behalf of his
employer four days later. in Rodney
AveEue.
CAS- ] understand, then. Mr. Blake
will not accompany us to ArneWood"'
/ asked. With an effort to appear un-
concerned.
''Thank Heaven, no. he again ejacu-
lated. Il have enabled him to tide
over Il difficulty he has got into in
London, and he leaves for the MetIop-
Ills tonight, OF. at latest, tomorrow.
The dearest wish of my heart is that
may never see him again."
There was no installing the bitter
sincerity of either the words or the
tone that expressed them; and, little
subject as I am to emotional weak
ness, my heart went out to him in
very pith of his misery. And then
there came upon me, as though by in
spiration. a revelation of my duty.
hui e~I Jofo
prisoner on trial for his life. and justi-
fled in taking almost any measures to
achieve that end. I was the paid agent
of client, and my mission was to un-
ravel Il mysterious murder. Evidence
had, more or less Indirectly. through
out. tended to incriminate my client
convincing check, obviously paid un-
could no longer feel any confidence in
my clients innocence. The time hau
come for an explanation With Richard
ArEewood.
Captain Arnewood,' l said. very
earnestly. "you are in some heavier
trouble than you have deemed it eXpe-
dent to confde in me, and I am COM
pelled to form an opinion as to what
that trouble isl
Are YOU, Mr.. Weston?" he echoed,
With a poor, wan attempt at smile.
'Why"'
'The lawyers cannot be here for an
other half-hour. Do you think you are
we'll enough to hear all that know
and suspect-about your cousins
de;;th?'
"Yes!' he answered, with almost
startling force. ''That is precisely
what want to learn; what you know,
and (above alb what you suSpect!'
I looked at him, more puzzled than
ever by his strange changes of humor.
Expectancy - eager expectancy = was
all could read in his face. My task
was not very lengthy one, as I had
merely to superadd what 1 had previ
ously supposed to what he already
knew. Ee only once interrupted Inc,
with a request for some brandy, while
was speaking Of Billy's adventure in
Rodney Avenue. I paused at the in
cdcnt of my dismissal from the room
in favor of Mr. Blake.
''Well?" he interiected. passing his
hand several times cross his fore
head
There is little more to be said, Cap
tain Arnewood.' 1 rejoined. Except
that. unless you can satisfy me thai
the check you gave your relative had
no reference to the case intrusted to
mo. 7 must ask you to place it in other
hands. I have seen the counterfeit in
vo''r check-hoak.
The unhappy man started to his feet.
Int fell back. limp ard helpless. in his
arm chair. One look he gave me-a
lock of such wild horror. that | shall
Hnver forget it-and then he seemed to
d 'uble ND on The chair and from it
s1in TO the floor. I sprang forward to
rnisf. him Just as two gentlemen en-
'"""h in one of whom I recognized Mr..
O'E'vnn
.Plnss NV hearth exclaimed tho lat
'"r "Arrlher fit. is it! Sure. its
lucky they sent DR.. Redwood with me.
DO Won th:r,s he'll manage the 1915
train. doctrr:''
No Ie, lied the doctor. gravely. at
ter Il careful examination of the pros
trate form. "Cap-ain Arnewcod will
travel by no more trains-alive. The
heart action has failed. He is dead!'