Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-02-13

class carriage. and chuckled grizzly to
think how impossible it was for any
one to escape when his sharpness was
brought to bear upon them.
I'm perfect bird-ketcher, I am" he
muttered to himself. They flutters
away bit, but not for long; as my
and on 'e1n before they can say
word. I wonder who's put the gel up
TO runnin' away this time? If !
thought that Jemima-' He did not
finish the sentence. but the action of
his hands was sufficiently deadly to
convey his meaning
He got to dull little Barnet. looking
duller than ever with everyone in bed,
and set out to find the Crown and
Cushion. He found it to be a modest
little inn, with a comfortable. homely
aspect, and with an unpretentious sign
swinging over the door announcing the
fact that there were Beds for Travel
ers." He knocked at the door flor the
house was closed for the night and
was informed that he could have bed.
AS he was conducted through the bar
by the man who had answered his sum
mons. he dropped a gentle hint con-
corning possible refreshment; the man
set down the light and began to hustle
about to meet the wishes of his guest.
Cornelius sat down and let his eyes
roam over the walls.
There, on one wall, beside the bar it
self, was a long, yellow placard, setting
forth the fact that the Spencer Com
bination would give a grand perform
ance on the next evening-the first Of
their tour through the principal towns
Of Great Britain; and that they would
be assisted this in very large letters
indeed) by Mr.. Anthony Taggett and
Miss Medora Broom. Cornelius Wee
vers began to chuckle to himself again.
DO you get many of these ere play
| actin folk in Barnt?'' he asked care
lessly, addressing the landlord, who
had set his drink before him.
Not many replied the man. "cept
at fair time-and they're rough lot.
can tell yer. See that bill?" He
jerked his head in the direction of the
yellow placard.
Cornelius nodded "I was jist a-cast-
in my eye over it," he replied.
'stoppin' in this very 'ouse, they
are went on the man, with an air Of
pride. "None of your show-folk. there,
not a bit of It. That's gent for you!"
he waved his hand toward Anthony
Taggett's name-"a gent as is fairly all
over Shakespeare-right up his back, in
fact. "W'y. do assure you, that gent
uses words. Wen 'e's askin' for any
think ordinary, as you don't ear any,
where's but on the stage. 'E's credit
to the ouse. that's what e ISL
Cornelius nodded. sympathetically.
Anybody with imp he asked, slipping
his liquor.
Not till tonight. Then an old gent
"a little man come drivin' up with a
young gel, an asked for them. think
they said they'd drove straight from
London
"Ah!' Cornelius nodded again. ct
think I'll go to bed, if you'll show me
the way"
Cornelius Viewers was seized with
such a violent fit of chuckling when he
reached his room and was left alone
there that it almost seemed for few
moments, as though he must inevitably
lose his breath altogether-which might
not have been a bad thing for some of
those about whom he had been reused
to so much unusual mirth. But he
thumped and punched himself out of
his fit: and finally got to bed and slept
crooked monster that he was-sound-
ly enough. over the very room in which
Olive Mallory lay.
He kept out of sight during the next
day-only slipping out, by back way,
to the postoftice to send his telegram to
his master. That telegram was brief
and to the point:
Found. Come down afternoon. Will
be at station waiting"
That dispatched, he went back and
Informed the landlord that he should
p 'cbably want his room again that
night Then he went back again and
found his way to the station; and loi-
tered about there, watching each train
| which came in from London.
Quite early in the afternoon Mr.. Nu-
gent Leathwood stepped out of train
ana crossed the platform quickly and
passed into waiting room, merely
giving a slight nod to Cornelius; that
gentleman followed him at once.
"Well-so you've found her, have
you? You're clever old rascal
Geuced clever, Cornelius" He laughed
and clapped his hand on the old mans
shoulder. II don't really know how 1
should get on without you. Come, tell
me all about it,
Stimulated by this praise, Cornelius
gave very full and minute account OF
all that had happened, of his talk with
the landlord of the Crown and Cush-
ion, and wound up by suggesting pos
sible plan of action.
Tonight these Taggett's will go to
their play-actin; they're playing in
sort Of barn at the other end of the
town. They'll all go-sure to do; but
they won't take the gel. Most likely
| they'll leave 'er behind. Well, I put it
to you: there's two of US, and she's a
mere slip of a gel. What do you think
of that-eh?'
II think very well of it, indeed,
friend Cornelius" replied Nugent. with
a grin. But what about this fellow.
Reeks? What are we going to do about
him?"
well hope for the best" said Cor
nelius. For the present, We mustn't
be seen about the place; make yourself
scarce all day-come to the inn to-
highland hang about at the back un-
til you see me-"
Upon that understanding, they part
ed. NURent to fllmo and raUa ahnut