The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-03-08

can guess what prompted you to think
of selling these things tonight; you are
forgiven freely for that: But I swear to
you that you shall not be landed in any
further difficulties; I merely want you
to go to the house, as arranged, and
hand over the parcel to MI. Leathwood,
and to receive the money. See that you
get h notes at the moment he has the
parcel: be firm; I shall be there close
at hand to assist you, II III cessary. You
will not be robbing me, because I shall
claim the papers back from him direct
~ after he has got them in his hands.
Now, then. will you do it?"
MI Rickerby," replied the little man,
feebly, II have already got into such
terrible trouble over this matter that ]
am unwilling to do anything further in
it. But II you assure me that there
is really o Fdanger-"
"None at all, on my word. I have a
fancy for letting this scoundrel think
that he has triumphed right up to the
last; and, at the last, I want to step in
and show him what a fool he has been,
and how completely he has lost every
thing. Only you must say nothing
about me, and you will certainly not
suggest that I am alive. Now, could
anything be easier?"
IT suppose not. Mr.. Rickerby," replied
Reeks; at all events, I'll do It. And
please believe that 1t isn't only for the
morey-although, goodness knows, I
need that badly enough. But I want to
show you that I really meant to
rob you, and that I am only too glad of
the opportunity of doing something to
prove my repentance. Yes-Ill do It.;
there's my hand on It,"
They parted-Gilbert to slip in by
that small gate in the alley, and Reeks
to make his way round to the proper
entrance and ring the bell o~stentatious-
ly. The latter, being admitted to the
house by Jemima, was conducted into
the room in which he had been before,
and there found NugeEt Leathwood
awaiting him, together with Cornelius.
ooh, so you're here at last, are you?"
asked Leathwood, glancing around at
him and scowling. Its taken you time
enough to max up your mind what to
do. And 1 think I've get q little debt
to settle With you."
Mr.. George Reeks, remembering the
other little debt which was to be set
tied that evening, felt that he could at
ford to be jaunty; he answered, with
quite an air Of gaiety %
Indeed, Mr.. L~eathwood; and what's
that?" '
Don't stand grinning there at me,
you little scoundrel!" shouted Leath-
wood, half-springing from his chair.
Didn't you take a young girl out OF
this place and carry her of, without 50
much as by your leave? And haven't
you been instrumental in getting her
away again? And yet you come in here,
as pert as a dancing-master, n never
a word about IT,
'There's no need for violence, MT.
Leathwood," said Reeks, mildly, "and
it isn't wise to call names. Whatever l
may have done, I certainly haven't got
the young lady now, and she's not IN
my hands; I nave merely come to see
you on a little matter Of business IN
connection with a promise I made some
days ago."
ooh, indeed" sneered Nugent. "You
hear that fellow, Cornelius; he's come
on a little matter Of business! Well"
he turned fiercely on Reeks, what Is
your business? Out with it,"
"Tkere were certain papers left be-
hind by Gilbert Rickerby at my house.
for which you were to pay me a certain
SUM- Of money. I have the papers mere
Nugent Leathwood glanced at the
parcel eagerly. "oh. so you've brought
them, have you? And you expect that,
after you've played the tricks you ave
and kept me lodging about after you'
you'll get your price for them, ing.
1.-THE price suggested was ESQ.," q
the little man, calmly.
exactly; that was the price sug-
eested. But the price has gone down,
my friend. Suppose we knock OFF two
hundred and fifty for the first abduc-
ton Of a certain young lady, and two
hundred for the second abduction, and
another hundred for the trouble to
which I lave been put? How much OF
your precious five hundred is left?'
Mr.. Geoarge Reeks bowed with all
the dignity he could muster. IT am
afraid, SIR he said, that we mus re-
gard the business al done with. The
papers are ~yours-for a certain price;
failing that price. they remain In my
possession"
.The papers are m~ine-price or no
price!"' cried Leathwood, springtng 70
his feet and moving swiftly toward the
little man. ""Give them to mel"
II say, master" broke in Cornelius,
n%ervously; 81 wouldn't Y no vio-
lence II I was you. There's been NO
lence enough. Mr.. Reeks IL . sensible
man, an the papers really belong ,to
you. Mr.. Reeks will give 'emGup, In
SURE
Nugent Leathwood had stopped when
the old man spoke; he: stood still slook-
ing at Reeks, and at the parcel. und nae
that gentleman's arm. y.
mo, well have no violence he s stL
'.Ml. Reeks will tive thernSFspp
know
al the price mentioned s said me- ME-
Reeks. II II
.well, here's yourap1ice. then crieo
Nugent, crossing to the writing table :.
which he had been seated and pulllne
openGone OF the drawers. III yoslsdoup
tthat the money 10 here-looksatSit, rs rs
for yourself" %.X-...
Tossing the papers IA the drawer
right and left, he pulled out a nu1dte
ltwirledSit through his dngers.s md Ivy
lsteredSit before the greedy g q ~
Reeks s. q he cried, regSSaai4
here-hve hundred poundass q
lem Here's your prIce!.
M. Reekus felt at that moment ina.
ishis share 81 the business ~ rs %
l$properly, Nj. Gilbert Riclserhy@ hoaio
L have been there, to fulhlI his 50 g
isthe bargain and take the !As
ERoeks saw the notes dutteriAle ahs10rss
his ,synss:s Il tirenlemberedg Ahatah -
10 deliver the spapsrsSsa!adS 49,