The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-12-21

HlOle OIL the upper part Ol lHe HouSe dL
an astonishing rental, to a man who, in
an apparent fit of madness, desired to
lie there with his servant.
Now, the name of that man was Gill
bert Rickerby, and he a taken the
rooms, on coming first to London, on
the recommendation of his servant,
James Holden. who knew the neighbour
hood we'll. Mr.. Gilbert Rickerby, for
his own part, merely desired to hide
from his fellows for a while, n was
glad enough to find a retreat in this
| quiet house in a little back street. TIe
was able to pay well, and he was &C
cepted as a tenant without question.
Three days after his appearance,
however, he had gone out n night
with his servant, and had never re-
turned. The rooms, being entered by
Mr.. Reeks, had disclosed the %astound-
ing fact that his own and his servants
luggage was open, in the o careless
fashion, and the contents spread about
the rcoms-evidence that he had in
tended to return. But the days vent
on, and there was no sign of him; and
the dreams of Mr.. Reeks of being able
to obtain a steady and easy income for
an indefinite period from his new lodS-
eli, UcSdll " ldcc. IL uccu, dL llldt lillC
Mr.. Reeks was in that condition when
he had absolutely nothing else to de-
PEND upon
Quite late n night, when MI. Reeks
sat with Mrs. Reeks in their sitting
room, Mrs. Reeks made a discovery. 1t
is usually the woman who makes the
discovery in these cases, and Mrs.
Reeks was not behind her sex in such
,-okta,. TL1,, l,oI Ioo~ t,llSrA 0f tho
mystery of the absent lodger and his
servant, and Mr.. Reeks had disconso-
lately shaker his head and expressed
II opinion, more than once, that luck
was against him.
Its what 1 have told you so often,
George l,eeks; you ought never to ave
received the man here without a refer
ence On the face of it, it is distinctly
absurd to imagine that a man who can
not give a respectable reference, should
be supposed to act as decent people do.
People with references are not in the
habit Of going out for walks and never
coming back any more"
but, my dear, you forget, that this
man paid down a weeks money in ad-
vance, and at the best terms we could
offer. There was no hesitation on bis
part, and L"
Hesitation! I should think not, in
deed!' cried Mrs. Reeks, sitting up
more stifly in her chair. depend upon
it, George Reeks, that man had soma
dreadful design in his mind when ne
determined to get into this house.
Have you looked through his personal
b~elongings?"
my dear, I wouldn't think of such a
:.-t a.-o1.:-,>7 NJ, DooI~ sn 1,1r,,o,s
After all, we may be merely worrying
ourselves about nothing; the gentleman
ma turn up tomorrow, having merely
been en- a little-a little journey"
I'm the words OF the vulgar, George
Rocks, Pigs ma fly Take my word
for ii, you will never see your precious
ledger again, or his servant, either. The
best thing you can do, at the moment,
is to eat your supper, n be thankful
that you have anything to eat at all.
1t won't be for long, at the rate things
are going"
The Supper referred to was some
thing very hot, and very economical,
which had been brought in from an ad-
iacent cook-shop by the small servant
maid who presided-under h direction
of Mrs. Reeks-over the domestic part
of the establishment. For a few mo-
ments, at least. Mr.. Reeks forgot his
troubles, as he gazed upon the savory
things before him; even Mrs. Reeks
consented to smile, and heaved a sigh
of satisfaction. But not for long; the
demon of unrest was to enter even into
that humble meal.
For the greater convenience Of those
who purchase, and with an y to econ
@~a,, 49, xL- -o0k 80 @L0o> T. -1II -,,,l.
frugal suppers, they are usually
wrapped in paper, and Mr.. Reeks, in
dividing out the contents of the paper
into equal portions, commenced to read,
and came across the advertisement Of
fering a reward of G100. She stopped,
stared, gasped, and at last, forgetful of
everything else, swept the savory NOR
sells on to a plate. caught up the paper
and read aloud the advertisement which
Mr.. Nugent L%eathwood had inserted,
imploring Gilbert Rickerby to keep his
appointment, and let his loving cousin
know of his whereabouts.
Now, Mr.. Recks was not in the habit
of taking a daily paper; first, because
it was expensive; and, secondly, be-
cause it did not interest him from a
business point of view; whatever ar
rangements he made for the getting or
scraping together of q precarious liveli-
hood, were usually conducted at the bar
of an obscure public house, or, even on
occasion, at a street corne Thus it
happened that he knew nothing con-
corning all the newspaper talk there
had been about the death of Gilbert
Rickerby, or about the forgotten ro-
nance which had been thrown around
the house where he was born. This
scrap of paper, coming in SO strange q
fashion to him, was the first intimation
they had had that Gilbert Rickerby
was wanted.
Mrs. Reeks read It aloud: Mr.. Reeks
sat back in his chair and stared at her
in anazement; the supper grew cola,
but neither OF. them noticed it. After a
long silence, Mr.. Reeks spoke in solemn
tones:
"Rickerby was the name of our lodg-
er!' he said, in an awed whisper.
EYES," said Mrs. Reeks, slowly, and
he is missing. More than that, George,
there's e100 reward!"
MI. Reeks started up wildly, almost
urretting the table in his agitation.
".Where is he?" he cried; "where is the
man who cheats me out Of his rent, and
then goes about with hundreds of
pounds tackled on to his name?"
cts very certain that he is mo- here,'
responded Mrs. Reeks. gloomily. IF he
was"
Mr.. Reeks breathed heavily. IF he