Oakes Republican., 1902-02-21
By TOM GALLON


ct Will" cried Taggett, shaking
hands with him with great fervor.
"Mummy-caseS are not found among
the domestic arpurtenances of every
household. Why not use a cuphoard?'
MIR. Viewers rose slowly from his
chair and Fegan, almost imperceptibly,
to edge away around the table. Mr..
Taggett, taking his fright to be caused
by the mere horror of the suggestion,
went on with greater gusto than ever.
"Ah, I see that startles you, eh?
Think of the effect, My dear Mr.. Wee
vers; think of the effect on the audi
ence when that cupboard is opened;
Think
Mr.. Viewers swayed against the ta-
BILE and made sort of blind hit at him.
missed, and brought his fist down heav-
lily on the table instead, upsetting one
of the glasses.
stop it-d'ye 'ear?" he said, in a
hoarse whisper. Lets ave no more Of
it, or, by Jove, I'll do you a mischief
YOU and your cupboards and your mur-
ders and your heaven-knows what!
What are you talking about, eh? Come
out with it! What do you know?"
The astonished Mr.. Taggett had start
ed back at the first onslaught upon him.
and now stood, gazing in astonishment
at Cornelius, whose Wild appearance
and haggard face We're sufficiently
startling in themselves without his
words. Mr.. Taggett however, had no
suspicion in his mind but that the stu-
alton he had suggested had been so dra-
matically strong that it had moved his
hearer in this strange fashion; or on
the otLer hand, he thought it possible
that Cornelius had drunk rather more
than was good for him. Accordingly,
he spoke soothingly.
"Nay, nay my good friend. did but
speak of something that might be
something which has no real existence.
AS I have said, the thing has proba bly,
been donc-''
How do YOU know it's been done?"
asked Cornelius, sharply. "Who are
you, to come spyin' on honest folk, and
talkin' about dead men in cupboards?
You've been mixin your drinks. Mr..
Play actor, or you've been gettin' a
nightmare. Ere, let me go; I've 'ad
enough Of you to night. Let me go!"
He strode towards the door and went
quickly out, shutting it behind him,
and leaving the astonished Taggett
staring in perplexity. Outside the door,
Cornelius, in the dark, suddenly felt his
arm gripped and hand was slipped
over his lips to prevent him from cry
ing out.
Hold your noise," whispered Leatl-
wood. ",rhis is the dealiest hole of all.
Don't explain. I've heard everything.
It's evident that he knows the whole
g eta
breathe here!"
looking into each others faces. Nugent
the house and how he had managed to
overllear the conversation.
"That amt the worst" said Corne-
Illus. THAT fellow that pretended e
was my son as turned up again; says
e saw you in the town ere to-day. It's
my belief that 'e's dom a little private
detective work on is own"
Yes, the nets are closing in,' said
Nugent. gloomily. IT had forgotten
about that fellow, Reeks."
Go 'ome; 'e wants money. I 'eard
i'm say e was going to take the papers
to you tonight
THAT sounds better replied Nugent,
after a snort pause. Il must have these
papers-whatever happens. I don't
know whose hands they may fall into.
This changes all my plans; We'll start
for London at once. If he wants the
money, he's sure to wait for me. Yes
We'll go to London.
'Then you won't bother about the
gel?" asked Cornelius, in tone of re-
lief.
Wont I? Leathwood gave a short
laugh. do you think I am the sort
of man to be beaten by people of
the stamp of this Reeks? He's gone:
the girl is left in the hands of the Tag
gets. I am going, as I have said, to
London tonight; but don't go without
the girl. Til get her and the papers;
then Til make bolt out of England.
But I don't go without the girl."