Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-02-20

eHce Wnen tnaC CUPBOARD is opened;
| think"
Mr.. Viewers swayed against the ta-
BILE and made a sort of blind hit at him
missed, and brought his fist down heav-
| lily on the table instead, upsetting one
of the glasses.
| Stop it-d'ye 'ear?" he said. in a
hoarse whisper Lets ave no more Of
| it. or, by Jove, I'll do you a mischief
! you and your cupboards and your muir
ders and your heaven-knows what!
What are you talking about. Ell? Come
out with it, What do you know?"
The astonished Mr.. Taggett had start
ed back at the first onslaught upon him,
and now stood, gazing in establishment,
at Cornelius, whose wild appearance
| and haggard face were sufficiently
startling in themselves without his
words. Mr.. Taggett, however, had no
suspicion in his mind but that the stu
alton he had suggested had been so dra-
matically strong that it had moved his
nearer in this strange fashion; or. on
the other hand, he thought it possible
that Cornelius had drunk rather moro
than was good for him. Accordingly,
he spoke soothinsly.
Nay, nay, my good friend. did but
speak of something that might be
something which has no real existence.
AS I have said, the thing has probably
been DONE
How do you know it's been done?"
asked Cornelius, sharply. who are
you, to come spyin' on honest folk, and
talkin' about dead men in cupboards?
You've been mixin' your drinks, Mr..
Play-actor, or you've been gettin' a
nightmare. Ere, let me go; I've 'ad
enough of you to night. Let me go!"
He STROBE towards the door and went
quickly out shutting it behind him,
and leaving the astonished Taggett
staring in perplexity. Outside the door,
Cornelius, in the dark suddenly felt his
arm gripped, and hand was slipped
over his lips to prevent him from cry
ing out.
Hold your noise,' whispered Leath-
wood. This is The dealiest hole of all.
Don't explain. I've heard everything.
It's evident that he knows the whole
story. Come down stairs; cant
breathe here!'
Outside, in the cool, night, they stood
looking into each others faces. Nugent
briefly explained how he had got into
the house and how he had managed to
o,-erhear the conversation.
'That amt the worst" said Corne-
Illus. THAT fellow that pretended e
was my son as turned up again; says
e saw you in the town ere to-day. It's
my belief that 'e's dom little private
detective work on lis own
Eyes, the nets are closing: in,' said
Nugent, gloomily. II had forgotten
about that fellow, Reeks."
go 'ome; e wants money. I card
i'm say e was going to take the papers
to you tonight
"That sounds better replied Nugent,
after a short pause. 81 must have these
papers-.whatever happens. don't
know whose hands they may fall into.
This changes all my plans; We'll start
for London at once. If he wants the
money, he's sure to wait for me. Yes
Well go to London.
Then you won't bother about the
gel?" asked Cornelius, in a tone of re-
lief.
Won't I? Leathwood gave a short
laugh. do you think I am the sort
of man to be beaten by people Of
the stamp of this Reeks? He's gone;
the girl is left in the hands of the Tag
gets. I am going, as have said, to
London tonight; but don't go without
the girl. I'll get her and the papers;
then I'll make bolt out of England.
But don't go without the girl!''