Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-01-02
It's norrible!" CALCULATED Mr.. Reeks.
.Rnf nonnof Nndarstsn nd the murder

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But I cannot understand the murder
ey-or why should Leathwood be so
anxious to give 1t to me?"
Mott wasn't for the money" said
Gilbert, slowly. 1T was because he
took the servant for the master; be-
went there at the appointed time, ana
who had promised to be there at that
hour-Gilbert Rickerby. Doubtless he
still believes that the man he killed
was Gilbert Rickerbv."
IT see. And l. think I understand
why he followed that stranger to the
grave and buried him as Gilbert Rick
erby. 1t was to cover his own crime"
Exactly" responded Gilbert. 1.-The
only to Leathwood; he may have seen
the crime, and, lying near death in the
hospital, the name of the man he sup.
posed to have been murdered was al
ways on his lips; more than that he
tightly in his hand. He may have
picked it up in the room where the
murder was committed"
in silence. his chin resting on the
knuckles of his right hand, deep in
thought Gilbert Rickerby watched
him anxiously. From time to time the
little man shook his head, doubtfully;
once or twice he nodded it. slowly.
Come" said Gilbert, at last, II am
quite sure you will help me in this.
want to get rid of this dreadful thing
in the house tonight"
"To-night!' Mr.. Reeks sat upright,
with the remains of his scanty hair
bristling. Had there been a reasonable
Pre- baby have been willing to promise
of it when it came to a matter of per-
Torrance. But to be expected to tackle
dead bodies on the instant was more
than disconcertiEg.
"Certainly; why not?" exclaimed Gill
bert, stopping, impatiently, before him.
THE fact of the matter is this: I do
not know who committed the murder,
although I have a shrewd suspicion
that it was my cousin; and have de-
te1mined to lie hidden here as long as
possible until I can solve the mystery.
More than that, want to know if what
if she loved him, as he asserted, what
should be his reason fer putting ME out
of the way? Yes; that body must be
got rid of tonight"
At this moment, Gilbert observed, to
his surprise. that Mr.. Reeks was sitting
perfectly still, with one hand raised,
listening intently; drawing, instinct
lively, nearer to him, Gilbert whispered,
b,,r,.; .sIEbat ic if2 What do Won
hear?"
Someone is coming, slowly and qui.
city. toward that door," whispered Mr..
Reeks, pointing to a door which stood
at the farther end of the room.
Without a word, Gilbert Rickerby
crept. cautiously, across the room and
stood close against the door,, listening.
In an instant he was back again; as
he passed the table, on which a lighted
candle stood, he blew it out; the room
was in darkness at once. Mr.. Reeks
felt a strong hand grip his arm, and
heard the voice Of Gilbert Rickerby IN
his ear:
This way-Quietly!"
Gilbert Rickerby appeared to open
another door, almost Immediately be-
hind where they stood; and Mr.. Reeks
felt himself drawn through and STUN
bling on stairway. Then the whisper
at his ear again:
Hush! Whoever it is, is in the room
now; they've brought a light with
them. Keep still; I am going to peep
out"
The door was opened a very little
way, and Mr.. Reeks could see the big
form of Gilbert ,Rickerby standing close
against the aperture. Then, in a mo-
ment. the door was shut; and Gilbert
Rickerby was leaning against the wall
beside him, breathing heavily, and
gasping as though he had received a
blow.
What is it? What's the matter?"
whispered Mr.. Reeks, eagerly.
Its the girl" came the whispered
reply "She has found her way here
again! OH if I might only speak to
hertz
Very cautiously, he opened the door
a very little way and peered out. Mr..
I,eeks, drawn ur close against the wall,
could see nothing; but when voice
came from the room he could hear it
distinctly. It IVES the voice of the girl,
and she called, clearly, distinctly, and
without fear:
gilbert! Gilbert!'
a moments hesitation, and then Gill
bert opened the door-squeezing Mr..
Ieeks most unoeremc, iously behind 1t
and passed out into the room. Mr..
Recks, peering through the cracks
where the hinges were, saw the girl,
| who held candle in her hand, advance
feare!ssly towards the young man. She
set the candle on the table and held out
her hands towards him. And, oh, the
look upon her face! The little man
could not have Withdrawn his eyes
however much he had wanted to do so
"Gilbert-my love!" cried the sweet
girlish voice. You don't know what q
long journey I have come to meet you
So-let me hold your hands. Do you
know what place this is where we meet
again?"
Mr.. Rocks, peering through the crack,
saw Gilbert take the girls hands in his;
heard him speak. mo, dear Olive
said the young man, what place is it?'
They told me you We're dead, dear
Gilbert" she said. "That must be true
because I have come through such
! strange dreams and visions to reach
you. But I have found you at last-my
| dear, my dear" She crept closer Il
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