Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-02-06
CHAPTER Nv.
Cornelius goes to the Play.

Mr.. Cornelius Viewers was jealous IN
his masters service for two reasons:
first, because he felt sure that his. mas
ter would, out Of sheer gratitude, en-
rich him; and, secondly, because, if
the truth were told, he feared a little
for his own neck in regard to the muir
der. He knew enough of Nugent Leath-
wood to know that, if in jeopardy him
self, he would not hesitate to denounce
the man who had assisted him, and to
point out, pretty clearly, that mans
actual part in the business, with such
possible additions as his own magma
ton or ingenuity might suggest. For
that double reason, too, Leathwood
knew that he could trust the old man,
and, therefore, gave him his confidence
fully.
On the night when Olive Mallory was
taken back by Nugent to Rickerby's
Folly, Cornelius had opened the gate to
them, and had chuckled to think how
easily the bird had been captured
again. So, too, when Olive was miss
ing for the second time-quite late at
night-Cornelius was the first to point
out where she was likely to be found,
and to put his finger upon the actual
people who were likely to have aided
her escape.
OF course, it was necessary that Je-
NINA, as the one peson into whose
special charge the girl had been put,
should make good her part of the sto-
ry; it might have gone hard with her,
as regarded her husband, had she
failed to do this. Therefore, when some
two hours had elapsed after Gilbert
Rickerby had returned, she entered the
room where Nugent Leathwood was
seated, smoking and writing, and la
conically delivered her message:
''It amt worth mentionin', p'r'aps,"
she said, "but that gel is missin'
again."
Leathwood sprang from his chair.
"What do you mean? Didn't tell you
to give strict attention to her-never
let her out of your sight? Tomorrow
I was to have taken her away with me,
as you know"
"Yes-I know that said Jemima,
without moving a muscle Of her face.
"And now you've let her go again!
But she can't have gone far; you have
not looked for her. She must be about
Lne pace somewhere. .
II jist went away from the room a
minute, an wen I got back she was
CORN. Stoopid like, left the door open;
Sc careless Of me. But I've united Ugh
an low-an' there amt no sign of 'er."
II tell you she must be in the grounds
somewhere or in the house." said Nu-
gent, making for the door. "You old
fool-as if you couldn't keep that baby
of girl safe! She mustn't get into
the streets as she is now,' he NUT
tered, as he hurried out Of the room.
Goodness only knows what she might
say. or what story she might tell, of
this Gilbert Rickerby, who is forever in
her thoughts. Here-Cornelius-Co
nelius!"
Cornelius came shutting out Of an
other SOON and confronted his master
Nugent caught him by the arm and
whispered what he had to say, as
though he feared someone nigh hear
him, even in that house, to which no
one ever came.
1.-THE girls gone! Don't stare like
that; that old idiot wife of yours has
let her slip. Alone, she can't have gone
far, and Jemima says that she has
slipped out within these past few min
utes. Come along-you to the right,
to the left; we must bring her back!"
AS they hurried through the house
and into the garden, Leathwood con-
tinued to urge his fears breathlessly to
Cornelius.
Before, that girl, Ursula brought
about the business, assisted by that
rascal, 1teeks. 1 don't think she'd dare
to try T. again, or he, either. IT she
has merely slipped outcome on, dod-
dcrer; how slow you are--we may find
her; II there has been trenchery again
they shall answer for 1t. whoever they
are. Gene back here II you don't find
her In ten minutes"