Oakes Republican., 1902-03-21


thing he had to do-something he had
been in the act of doing when he was
struck down. Then that eXasperating
grip on his wrists reminded him of his
| helpless1 ess; he tugged frantically at
the things which held him, and failed
to move them in the least, twisted
about in an endeavor to discover what
it was he was fastened to and how he
was fastened.
He was in that room wherein he had
slept when boy-the room in which
the body of James Holden had been
hidden; and he was fastened securely
with ropes, to one Of the stout bed
posts of the old four-poster bedstead.
Gradually the whole business stole over
him-the remembrance of his STOPPING
to pick up the packet; of the horrible
blow upon the head-of all the room
twisting and bending and gyrating
about him as he fell. But how did he
get here. and who had fastened him
UP in this fashion?
Gradually, too, as full consciousness
came upon him, he became aware that
there was a light in the room; twisting
his head around painfully, he saw the
light standing upon his dressing table
saw a mans shadow in front of it and
hand stretch out and lift it up.
Turning his aching eyes slowly in the
| direction of the shadow, he saw a fig
ure advancing towards him, holding
| the light high, so that it might shine
| upon him. The figure stopped before
him, and out Of the swimming room
and the moving shadows looked the
face of Nugent Leathwood, with a grin
upon it.
"Ah, so you are not dead, after all?"
said Leathwood, flaring the candle at
him. I'm glad of that; it would have
been too good death for you, to die in
a second like that. You shall have
your death spread out bit-a lingering
affair. You can only die once you
know, SO We'll make the most of it for
you"
"Why have you brought me here?"
asked Gilbert, family. You coward,
you know you dare not face me, even in
this weak state, if my arms We're freen'
II prefer not to take risks" retorted
| Nugent, With a grin. you see, you're
such a slippery customer, one never
knows what might happen. But don't
think you will give me the slip this
time Now if you are sufficiently sens
| ible to understand what I'm saying, I
want to talk to you. With your per-
mission, I'll sit down, and I hope you're
as comfortable as I am He pulled
forward O. chair and sat down within
foot or two of his helpless prisoner.
you have already one dastardly
murder to account for,'' said Gilbert.
care you going to add another to it?''
1T am replied Nugent, coolly. IIe
set down the candle on the floor at his
feet, folded his arms, leaned back in
his chair, and, finally, shook his head,
laughingly, at Gilbert
Let him laugh who wins, Cousin
Rickerby,'' said Leathwood. "You
managed your business very we'll to-
night, with your witnesses and your
dramatic appearance at the psychology
ical moment; but 1 managed mine bet
ter. Oh, you were going to be so clev
er: the girl was in your hands-every-
thing was in your hands. You'd got the
money-or one of your friends had
and you'd nearly got the papers. I
should think that added head of yours
must ache a little, eh?"
Gilbert made no reply; he was de-
termined, If possible, not to answer any
thing that was said. He wondered
how long this man intended to torture
him, and what manner of death he was
preparing for him.
"You had all your arrangements
made-the rope was dangling from the
gallows for me-wasn't it? And now I
have made my arrangements. Shall L
tell you what they are?"
Still Gilbert did not speak: life was
growing more strongly in him with ev-
cry moment, and the instinct of sheer
seif-preservation prompted him to
struggle again and tug at the ropes
which held him.
| +,, -.,1o ctr 1,oc n
as you like" said Leathwood. "This is
the best game I've played yet. You
tlog-do you know what sort of purga-
tory you've made me live in for the
past day or two? Do you know that
you've made me- die fifty-times over;
have made me start up in bed at night,
+ with that horrible strangling feeling at
! my throat, and with solid things slip
ping away from under my feet? What
! agony is there that can make you suf-
fe" that will compensate me for all
that? I will give you the worst death
= know Of but even that won't be
enough
What are you going to do?" The
!. words were forced from Gilbert's lips
: strive as he would to be silent.
"Ill tell you. Cornelius and carried
:. you from the other house. just as we
= | carried the body of that SerVat o1
yours. We brought you here and tiet
: you uI securely When I've done talk;
: ing to you. I'm going into the lower
u rooms Of this house and I'm going tt
!, . set fire to them. Every shutter in thu
place has been carefully closed, SO tina
the flames won't break out, or be seer
. from outside, until the place is a rag
q ing. roaring furnace within. How d.
you like the prospect? You'll hear tn
o wood cracking; you'll find it CROWN,
" hotter and hotter; gradually the flame
% will creep up about you and catch tn
g bed hangings and the wood OF the bed