Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-02-27

I with the Teellng Ilat, Cnce ne TedCIltu
it. he would at least know the worst.
Even when he got to 1t he fingered
about the adjacent streets for a long
time, fearing to go neal il. but sum
mcned courage ar last to put his key in
the lock OF the garden gate, and slipped
in. The rooms that were usually in
habited were lit up as usual, and the
sight of the friendly lights gave him
confidence. He let himself into the
house and went up stairs. Cornelius
Viewers, who had heard his step upon
the stairs, came u to greet him..
Not a word was said until the two
men were in the room and Nugent had
shut the door and set his back against
it. Then he saw, by the look in the
eyes of Cornelius THAI something was
very wrong indeed: the placidity of that
usually calm old r~eprobate was broken
up and gone.
We'll? What the dickens do you
stare at me like that for? What has
happened?" he asked, in a sort OF fierce
whisper.
Cornelius backed away towards the
table, and stood leaning against il,
drawing one hand across his lips and
| blinking his eyes. 1--we only just
just come back from it, he whispered.
Come back from what? What are
you talking about" asked the other,
coming forward from the door to look
more closely at the old man. Why
you've not been drinking, have you?"
Cornelius shook his head. mo. I've
not" he retorted. "This is all the
thanks a nan gifts for lookin' after is
masters interests. I've just been into
that-the other 'ouse.'
well, the sight of what was there
shook up YOU nerves, eh?" sneered
Leathwood. TT doesn't take much to
upset you-that's pretty EVIDENT"
THE sight might ave upset me-if
there'd been any retorted the old man.
But it was what wasn't there that
startled me-"
Wasn't there? What are you talking
about? What wasn't there"
THE bodyl' Mr.. Viewers nodded
slowly. to emphasize his words.
Nugent Leathwood seemed almost to
have stopped breathing; he opened hts
mouth once or twice. as though TO
speak, and made a quick motion with
his hands; at last blurted out hoarss-
ly: THE body not there? You must be
mad; you've looked in the wrong place
for it."
ave i? Am I likely to forget where
we put it; 'aven't / bin every step of
the way In my sleep, a 'undred times?
I'm the wrong place, Indeedi / tell you
the cupboard is empty; the dead man
might ave walked out of it, for all there
is of i'm left"
Don't talk like that," cried Leath-
$500 x.sSt % -L.,llor ssvox.srvn hl,,nd-
cred somehow, you must have done so.
Good heavens;i the man was dead
enough, in all conscience: do you mean
to suggest that he has recovered and
escaped? Here-giye me the light; I'll
go and look myself"
SEQ and look. and then say I'm mad
afterward." said Cornelius, handing him
a candle. II don't know whether the
man was dead or not: / only know he
amt there.p
'TI wager I'll find him fast enough"
said Nugent, with a laugh. Not there,
indeed. I almost wish he were not; this
has been a laundering business, all
through. and / thought to do it so neat
ly! Here--you al take the light and
go in front"
In that order, with Cornelius leading.
they went down stairs. and turned into
that long passage which connected the
two houses, and along which they had
carried the body on that night of
der. Near the end of the passage they
stopped and drew together; Cornelius
softly blew out the candle. Then they
could see through the chink of a door at
the farther end, a little thin thread Of
light.
What does that mean?' whispered
Nugent. who can be there2"
Cornelius, mastering up some cour-
age, stepped forward quickly :~blundered,
in the darkness. against his companion,
! and dropped the candlastick, with a
rattle, to the ground. Even while he
stopped to tumble for 1t, the thin
thread of light was gone. They got the
candle and relighted IL, and went for
ward cautiously: opened the door and
passed into the room. Crossing IL. after
q moments hesitation, they began TO
ascent the stairs leading to the upper
rooms.
Suddenly, Leatfwood caught at the
old mans coat and held him still. "Do
you hear that?" he breatEed.
"What?"
Someone going or In front OF us. A
woman. / should think: I can hear the
rustic of a dress. Listen" Nugent
Leathwood turned to Cornelius, to see
IL he could read In His face that he also
heard the same sound.
The old man listened intently for a
moment, and then shook his head. TITS
your fancy" he whispered. There
may be ghosts ERE; i shouldn't be sur
prised. But they're not likely to make
a noise. Fancy, I tell you"
They went on again. Leathwood stop
ping every now and then to listen-fret
ting himself with the thought that they
were watched, or that they might, In
any turn Of the stairs, come across
something terrible and unearthly. But
they came at last. without adventure, to
the room that had once belonged to Gil
bert R~ickerby-the room In which they
had hidden the body. Here Cornelius,
feeling that he was about to be vindi-
Gated, set down the candle and pointed
to the cupboard.
Now, Mr.. Leathwood. perhaps you
won't min openin' that there cupboard
and lookin' for yourself. / 'ad my turn.
Now it's yours"