Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-03-06

MIN, dIlu Slldll llduu IllIl Iue parcel. t3ul
l also intend to be present myself, and
to claim the parcel again from him.
Mr.. Reeks. the time has come when
must pay off certain debt which owe
to Mr.. Leathwood-or, rather, let him
us, and it has waited q long time to be
wiped out; it shall be wiped out to-
night"
But what do YOU want me to doo"
asked Mr.. Reeks, beginning to tremble
again. IT would much rather leave it
all in your hands,
MY dear friend. you have already
helped me very much; I want you to
can guess what prompted you to think
of selling these things tonight; you are
forgiven freely for that. But swear to
you that you shall not be landed in any
further difficulties; merely want you
to go to the house, as arranged, and
hand over the parcel to Mr.. Leathwood
and to receive the money See that YOU
get the notes at the moment he has the
parcel: be firm: shall be there close
at hand to assist you, if nt cessary. You
Will not be robbing me, because I shall
claim the papers back from him direct
ly after he has got them in his hands.
Now, then. will you do it?"
"Alr. Rickerby," replied the little man,
feebly. Il have already got into such
terrible troublt over this matter that 1
am unwilling to do anything further in
it. But if you can assure me that there
is really no danger"
None at all. on my word. have a
fancy for letting this scoundrel think
f1,of 1,a hos {,>i,y .f,1,% %I,n
last: and, at the last, want to step in
and show him what a fool he has been,
and how completely he has lost every
thing. Only you must say nothing
about me. and you will certainly not
anything be easier?"
Il suppose not. Mr.. Rickerby," replied
Reeks: at all events. I'll do it. And
please believe that it isn't only for the
morey-although. goodness knows, I
need that badly enough. But want to
show you that never really meant to
rob you and that I am only too glad of
the opportunity of doing something to
prove my repentance. Yes-In do it;
there's my hand on it."
They parted-Gilbert to slip in by
that small gate in the alley, and Raelxs
" Illdht Ills way 1Oui1u " lie pIOpCI
entrance and ring the bell ostentatious-
ly. The latter, being admitted to the
house by Jemima, was conducted into
the room in which he had been before,
and there found Nugert Leathwood
awaiting him, together with Cornelius.
"Oh, so you're here at last, are you?"
asked Leathwood. .glancing around at
him and scowling. Its taken you time
rh To l-o ind what IN
do. And 1 think I've got a little debt
to settle with YOU -. j..
Mr.. George Reeks, remembering the
other little debt which was to be set
tied that evening, felt that he could af-
ford to be jaunty; he answered, with
quite an air of gaiety
Indeed, Mr.. Leathwood; and what's
that?'
Don't stand grnning there at me,
you little scoundrel!" shouted Leath-
wood, -springing from his chair.
Didn't you take a young girl out of
this place and carry her off, without so
much as by your leave? And haven't
you been instrumental in getting her
away again? And yet you come in here,
as pert as dancing master, and never
a word about it.
There's no need for violence, Mr..
Leathwood." said Reeks, mildly, land
it isn't wise to call names. Whatever I
may have done, certainly haven't got
the young lady now, and she's not in
my hands; I nave merely come to see
you on a little matter Of business in
connection with a promise I made some
days ago."
ooh, indeed" sneered Nugent. you
hear that fellow, Cornelius; he's come
on little matter of business! Well"
he turned fiercely on Reeks, what is
your business? Out with it,"
"Tkere were certain papers left be-
hind by Gilbert Rickerby at my house,
for which you were to pay me a certain
SUM- of money. have the papers here"
Nugent Leathwood glanced at the
parcel eagerly. ooh, SO you've brought
them, have you? And you expect that,
after you've played the tricks you have.
and kept me lodging about after you,
you'll get your price for them, eh?"
1.-THE price suggested was $780," said
the little man, calmly.
Exactly; that was the price sug-
gested. But the price has gone down.
my friend. Suppose we knock off two
hundred and fifty for the first abduc-
ton of a certain young lady, and two
hundred for the second abduction, and
another hundred for the trouble to
which I lave been put? How much of
your precious five hundred is left?''
Mr.. Geoarge Reeks bowed with all
the dignity he could muster. 81 am
afraid, sir,'' he said, that we must re-
gard the business as done with. The
papers are yours-for a certain price;
failing that price, they remain in my
possession"
1.-THE papers are mine-price or no
price" cried Leathwood, springing to
his feet and moving swiftly toward the
little man. "Give them to met"
II say, MASTER" broke in Cornelius,
nervously; II wouldn't ave no vio-
lence if I was you. There's been vio-
lence enough. Mr.. Reeks is a sensible
man, an the papers really belong to
you. Mr.. Reeks will give 'em up, I'm
sure.'
Nugent Leathwood had stopped when
the old man spoke; he stood still look
ing at Reeks, and at the parcel under
that gentleman's arm.
mo, We'll have no violence" he said.
uNfr PeekS will give them up, l