Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-12-19
By TOM GALLON
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CHAPTER v. (Continued.)

CHAPTER v. (Continued.)
AT the Marble Arch the man stopped
and civilly parted from them, pointed
out their way and logged on again, as
good-humoredly as ever 1t was now
very late, and there was no prospect,
for the Taggetts, at least, but to walk
to their destination. The woman who
accompa MED them made no suggestion
as to taking any conveyance, and was
probably as penniless as they were.
Mr.. Taggett made feeble attempt as
they went along, to beguile the walk
with suggestions of the uproarious
laughter with which the events of the
day would Be greeted in select circles
In years to come; but Mrs. Taggett did
no. seem to see the point of the joke at
that particular time, and the stranger
strobe along beside them without pay
Ing the slightest attention to anything
that was said.
Thus is was that, WORKOUT, bedrag
Gled and faint with hunger, the three
came, at last, to the gate in the wall
which led to Rickerby's Folly, and it
was the loud and persistent ringing of
the bell by Anthony Taggett which
produced such startling effect on Cor
nelius and his master.
After some slight delay the gate was
opened, and the old man stood looking
at them. with the lantern held above
his head, the better to scan their faces.
After little parleying, the gate was
shut. after they had been admitted into
the lined garden; and they stood there
close together. speaking in whispers,
and wondering what was to happen
next. Cornelius, in the meantime, had
OH MT hn
beer related; after a little hurried dis
cussion, Nugent gave orders that the
people were to be admitted. The better
10 receive them, he sat down at table,
apparently busy with correspondence,
and composed himself as much as pos
chile.
The first to enter the room was An
thony Taggett, followed by his wife.
Nugent Leathwood, who had made UP
his mind what part to play; sprang up
at once and went towards them, with a
cordial smile and with his hands out
stretched
Il beg that you will not offer any
apologies" he began, hurriedly. "Any
friend of poor Gilbert Rickerby must,
Of necessity, be friend of mine. I'M
iderstand that you have come a long
way to see him."
Mr.. Taggett nodded; he was some
what surprised by the warmth of this
welcome from stranger, and was
about to gasp out question, when Nu-
gent began again, hurriedly:
Your errand, in so far as it relates
TO Gilbert Rickerby, is a fruitless one.
Gilbert Rickerby is dead. Do not speak
of it, I beg; I will tell you all on
another occasion. For the present, as
I have said, you are my friends, be-
cause you were his; for tonight, at
least, we will find accommodation for
you here"
Mr.. Taggett was about to make some
attempt to give expression to his sur
prise and sorrow, when he observed an
extraordinary change come over the
face of Nugent Leathwood; he saw,
too that that gentleman was looking
straight past the man whose hand he
held towards the door by which athey
had entered. Turning his own head
quickly he saw, standing near the door,
the woman VINO had accompanied them
On their journey; she stood quite STILL
froH ming heavily.
what are you talking about?" she
said, harshly. What nonsense is this.
about Gilbert Rickerby being dead?
Why-you told me that you were Gill
bert Rickerby when we"
'Yes-yes, Ursula know-I know"
exclaimed Nugent, hurriedly. IT told
you that, toto try you-to test your
your love-Well, what the dickens do
you want?'
Old Cornelius had crept to his elbow
and stood there, striving excitedly to
attract his attention. In a hoarse
whisper distinctly heard by the three
who stood watching them the old man
Van tremblingly blurted out his news:
'The gel!-Rickerby's CELL can't
end 'er anywheres!"