Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-12-26

.-l. 70
lying from tradesmen! I'll open an
ofIlce-a respectable etlce. In q respect.
able neighborhood:~ I'l launch out OF!
new schemes: I'll do. commission work
| that I've never attempted before. GH-
bert Rickerby, whether you're alive or
dead. I'm glad you came to lodge at No.
Q, Little Pond street. II I'D got the
money In my pocket I'd have q cab
home!" s.5,5g..
But. whatever he intended to do. he
was in no hurry about it. stu mcdi-
tating over that extraordinary fortune
| which had come to hin, so unexpected
I ly, he resolved to take q turn around
the house; and he noticed In doing so
that, while one side had lighted win
dows dotted all over it. the, other. which
seemed to be a separate house. was
dark and apparently uninhabited. Wan
dering on little farther. stirl gazing up
! at those darkened windows. Mr.. Reeks
lost his way completely. missed the
gate, and made the complete circle of
the two houses without finding It..
Standing still, he demonstrated with
himself for his carelessness.
"You were drunk when you came in.
George Reeks-you know you were; but
you've gone through great deal too
much since then to be drunk now. 1t
will never do to wake up that nice
young man again and ask the way out;
1 must go round the wall and find 1t. It
ought to be directly in front of the
lighted house; and I appear, at The
present moment. to be directly behind
the dark one. However, have to get
home to Mrs. r.; SO here goes!"
He had gone but q few steps when he
thought he saw in front Of him. among
tn heavy shadows thrown by the trees,
a figure. Somewhat startled at first.
Mr.. Reeks drew back agains the wall;
and then, Laughing at his own fears.
| ventured boldly out and called to the
figure. s. ...
II beg you pardon, but I'm lost.
can't find the gate. If you will be so
kind at to" -,
His voice trailed off, and failed him
altogether; for the figure-scarcely' a
dozen yards from him-had not moved.
Very timidly, the little man ventured
nearer. and began his appeal afresh.
II say; could you show me"
He had not time to finish the SEN
tence; the figure moved suddenly. and
without warning, and leaped upon him
"a tall figure, and evidently possessing
considerable strength. Then a hand
gripped him. and another hand closed.
firmly over his mouth. looking up. he
saw, In the dim light, fair man, with
fair mustache and tanned skin. and
with a deep scar across one cheek
bone Trembling in deadly fear, he
waited for the man to speak.
do you know me?" asked the man,
sternly. Don't try to speak, because I
shan't let you. If you know me. nod
your head"
Mr.. Reeks nodded, though with con-
siderable difficulty.
II see you do. am Gilbert Kicker
by. If let you free, will you swear to
me not to attempt to raise the alarm
will you swear that you will do as 1 tell
you? Remember, have a dozen times
your strength, and could catch you and
silence you before you had gone a yard.
Nod again."
Mr.. Reeks nodded with what empha7
sis was possible under the circuln-
stances, and the next moment his
mouth was uncovered.
"He-he told me you were dead!", he
stammered, pointing feebly toward the
lighted house, and evidently not quite
certain in his own mind as to whether
Gilbert Rickerby was really dead or
not.
Eyes; he thinks am" replied the
other, bitterly. "But what were you
doing therein that house,"
Once again George Reeks felt. that
there was nothing for it but to make a
clean breast Of the business; haltingly,
and with many excuses for himself, he
told his tale-told, last of all, Of the
promised 500 which was to come to
him so easily. II thought that you
were dead, Mr.. Rickerby and that it
would not matter" he pleaded.
II know-I know; land believe you"
replied Gilbert. But he must not have
those, papers; he shall not. Tell me-
did he say anything about young girl
"a young LADY,"
"Said she was there-and in safe
keeping" replied Reeks.
'In safe keeping! Good heavens
and he dares to say it: Mr.. Reeks,
am hiding-I am living on false pre-
lenses; have no name-nothing that
can cali my own. But, will you help
me?"
Then the head of poor Mr.. Reelks was
| whirling round again, or seemed to be;
but he answered, steadily, though with
something of a gulp at the thought of
his lost fortune, II will; don't want
his money, or anyone's. What is the
matter?"
"You shall see for yourself" said Gill
bert, gripping his arm. II believe you
have heart; you must have; any
man but black-hearted villain would
help poor wretch, bowed down under
such misery and grief as mine. Come,
you shall know for yourself what
WANT"
Utterly bewildered and feeling much
inclined to Shrek out, and wishing
most devoutly that he had never seen
or heard of Gilbert Rickerby, Mr.. Reeks
suffered himself to be drawn towards
| the dark house, at which he had gaZed
so curiously but few moments before.
CHAPTER VIII.
The World of Dreams.
Still, with that powerful grip upon his
| a. rim Mr. Georpo Roafxs was drawn