Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-01-17
plan with Anguish how we might hear
what was to transpire at the meeting


what was to transpire at the meeting
Of the conspirators.
"You see," said Anguish, when had
communicated this information to him
you see, he suspected Nora last
time, and he means to have her out OF
the way now. But he's been trife
too clever in getting rid Of the servant.
and If we've any luck I'll cook his din
ner for him the first night he comes
"You?" I said. What are you talk
ing about?"
I've some writing to do" The said.
land when I've finished I'll come down
and explain
He had been gone more than an hour
when Graves appeared. 81
There's a-a-woman to see you,
SIR" he said. "She's Irish, and I've
told her to wait in the hall. Shall
show her imp
YES" said I, thinking, perhaps it
was a messenger from Nora.
The woman who followed him in was
of middle age and stout.
eve come after the place, your hon.
orr said she, dropping me the conven-
tional curtsy, and her brogue was so
perfect that it is carce possible to give
it expression in writing. 81 can cook
and make myself useful, and av ye'd
throw yer eye over my characther,
sure you'd foind it plaisin', and meselr
a dacint, clanely body. How will that
do?" was the question that finished up
the grafton, as Graves disappeared.
The applicant for the post of cook
was none other than John Anguish.
and the makeup was so good that it
was utterly impossible, even with the
strictest scrutiny, to recognize in this
Irishman my good uncle, the clergy
man.
He had three or four testimonials
which, as he said, were bound to be
satisfactory, since he had written them
himself, and seeing that Mr.. Courtney
was, most likely, hard pushed, he
would not be over-nice, and would have
no time to write to the people men,
toned.
"where did you get your dress?" I
asked.
ooh! its part of my wardrobe. But
I must be off, for the advertisement
may draw other applicants, and I want
to be the first in the field. I shan't
trouble Graves to show me out. Do
you come to the door yourself"
A short note came to hand in the
evening.
. 1t had been left by an Irishman, so
Graves informed me, and was from
Mr.. Courtney, and certainly the adj,
dress was a very good imitation of that
gentleman's caligraphy. 1t was from
Anguish. He wrote:
"Alrs we'll, and I'm engaged, and T
believe I've spotted the place Of meet.
ing already. If I'm right it will be in
30
an easier task than we thought.
leave this note myself as I'm on my
way to the station to have my boxes
sent on. Shall write you again to-
morrow. Mind and give out that I've
gone back to my forlorn flock. Burn
this, for you mustn't make the slight
est mistake. Can you use pistol? II
you can, get one; if you can't, let it
alone, for you'll most likely shoot
yourself. j. A"
strolled through the main street the
next day. but evidently Mr.. Courtney
was too busily engaged in preparing
for his guests to allow of his paying
his usual visit to the club, and I saw
nothing of him, though from a dis
tance I watched D'Orville's arrival, and
saw him walk to the cottage.
ldu duOII0I uOl0 AuSul
and he laid before me very clearly the
danger to be faced and, and bade me.
while there was yet time, to withdraw.
if I We're so minded, adding that he
would write fully and finally in the
morning.
sat writing until late into the night.
giving, as far as I could, history of
the doings Of the Ragged Thirteen, to-
f,,n
rice D'Orville, and added that was
going to Connemara Cottage to over
hear, if possible, what should be said,
and that if did not return it would be
because the men who were members of
the terrible "club" had made away
with my. When had finished this ac-
count made it up into packet, and
then wrote instructions for Graves, to
whom intended to intrust it, and bade
him place what I gave him in the
hands of the police, provided that did
not return at such and such an hour.
1t was 9 o'clock when the promised
note came from Anguish. Without pre-
amble he wrote
You may, possibly have been in
many dangerous positions before now.
but if you come to help me tonight, If
you make one false step, you forfeit
your life. I spoke to you about bring
ing firearms-don't do so. Select
weapon of any other description, some
thing that can be easily carried. You
will come to the house by the back
way at o'clock, for at that hour Dor
vile will be busy with his dinner, and
he let's nothing interfere with that. I
am to prepare two or three particular
ly tasty dishes, and some day, please
goodness, I'll give you a proof Of my
skill therein. I can explain on some
future occasion how I came by my
knowledge. Suffice it to say that they
will be assembled at about $3.50, or, at
the latest, 10 o'clock. in the second of
the three rooms that are built out from
the back Of the kitchen. There is only
one small window in it. and Courtney
has carefully blocked this up so that
no glimmer of light can escape from
it. Over the third room Is loft, and
into this loft you can easily get
through some loose tiles near the end
of the roof. You have only to detach
them, and when you have squeezed in