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


| y
did bait of $500. MS. Reeks, who had
been at first more eager even than he
was about the matter, began to have
qualms.
Are you quite sure, George. that you
| won't be doing anyone wrong if you
sell these papers? Remember, George,
! we've beea unluaky so far, but we've
| gone through things with clean hands;
there isn't a living creature can say we
have wilfully cheated them. And re-
member, George, you told me about that
young girl-or at least you suggested
something about her. If she is connect
ed with Gilbert Rickerby, isn't it posi-
| BILE that we might be doing her wrong
as we'll as him.
My dear"-Mr. Reeks tapped his foot
nervously on the floor-"you have such
such a very uncomfortable way of
putting the thing. At any rate, don't
let US talk about it any more tonight;
something has got to be done to relieve
us from our present uncomfortable po-
sition, and this seems to be the only
way. Well talk about it tomorrow;
we can look at the matter more clearly
then
They We're both very perturbed In
mind, and it is probable hat neither of
them slept very soundly that night. Fut
in the morning the beerylooking brok-
els man was again in evidence; he had
10 be fed, and the position looked more
desperate than ever. The Low day wore
away; the afternoon passed, and night
came again, With no prospect Of relief.
More than all, fell rumor had got
abroad, procla inning the state of the
case; and indignant tradesmen and 9TH
erS descended on the house and played
havoc with the knccker, and shouted
insulting remarks through the key-hole.
AT about 10 o'clock at night Mr.. George
Raelss rose up so:emnly, took the candle
| and went up stairs. Mrs. Reeks must
have known what was afoot, for she fol-
| lowed him without a word.
They got to the room Where Gilbert
Rickerby's possessions We're spread
about: Mr.. Reeks set down the candle
and took up the writing case into which
q / the papers had been thrust on the
night when first they had examined
them. Mr.. Rocks looked about him
guiltily. and his hands trembled as he
fastened the case: then, without a
word. they went down stairs again.
Having gained the little sitting room
and closed the door, Mr. Reeks made a
compact parcel of the writing case and
put it under his arm.
My dear Mrs. r." said the little
man, solemnly, IF I could have seen
any other way out of it would never
have done this; if any money, however
small, had come in to-day, would have
kept my word and held on to these pa
pers for the man to whom they belong.
But we've got to be fed; that wretched
brokers' man has got to be fed; and the
many knocks on our front door are be-
coming scandal to the neighborhood-
Five hundred pounds will enable us to
snap our fingers at everyone, and
mean TO get it Tonight"
Mrs. Reeks said neutrality-suspicious.
wisely; all the words in the world
would never alter the fact that the thing
was wrong. But she, too, felt that there
was no way out of their troubles but
this, and SO her silence gave consent.
Mr.. Reeks put on his hat and left the
house. lodging around the first corner,
in order to escape anyone who might be
lying in wait. Gripping the precious
parcel tightly under his arm, he hurried
away to Rickerby's folly.
Il was a dark night, and the little
man chose the darkest ways. He start
ed at every shadow, and once he made
detour across the road when he saw
policeman standing underneath lamp
post. Taking, by this means, the long
est route, he delayed himself consider
ably, and it was nearly midnight when
he darted around the last corner and
came towards the gate of Rickerby's
Folly. Then, as he hurried along, he
suddenly became aware of nimble foot
1inca hohin1 md into
run.
The footsteps became faster and near
err, and hand was laid on his Shout
der. He stopped and backed against
the wall and gripped his parcel, turned
his head sharply, and beheld Gilbert
Rickerhy!
"What have you got there, Mr..
Eeeks?' said Gilbert, pointing to the
parcel.
"N-nothing,'' stammered Reeks, with
a feeble smile "Only-only a little par
Gel 1 was taking To-
"a little parcel you were taking to
Mr.. Nugent Leathwood!" broke in Gill
bert, sternly. "a valuable parcel, con-
sidering it's size, Mr. Reeks; about $780,
1 should say, eh?"
George Rocks, with a sigh, held out
| is useless, SIR he said; you know all
about it. Take it, Mr.. Rickerby, and
let me beg you to call policeman.
Give me in charge, MI. Rickerby!"
cried the little man, wildly; give me
| in charge; tit all that is left to mel"
mo: 1 won't give you in charge, Mn
Reeks,' replied Gilbert, with smile.
| Rave been waiting here for you, because
1 wanted to have a word with you.
| Take the parcel; that's it, keep it safe
| ly under your arm. Now, come round
| the corner here, into that little alley of
which you know, where we can talk
| without being disturbed"
| They Went together round to the back
Of the house, and stood N the darkness
| in the alley of which Gilbert had spok-
| en-. And there, setting the little man
| with his back against the wall, Gilbert
| stood before him, with folded arms, and
| told him what he wished him to do.
| I'm the first place, Mr.. Reeks, let me
assure you that / do not intend to in
tcrfere. with you in any way, or upset
your plans in regard to that parcel.