Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-04-17

lights again and rapidly made himself
sparkling soda. to which he added q
little whisky. He looked almost low
ingly. at the cleaning Cellini tankard,
at the pools of light on the fair dam
ask. Was it possible that he was not
going to lose all this, after all?
The Moorish clock in the study droned
the half-hour
David gulpei down his whisky and
crept. shalily to the front door. with q
feeling on him that he was doing some
thing stealthily. The bolts and chains
ratified under his trembling fingers. Out
side the whole world seemed to be sleep
ing. Under the wide canopy of stars
some black object picked out with shin
ing points lay on the white marble
breadth Of the Top step. \ sun-metal
cigar case set in tiny diamonds.
The novelist fastened the front door
and staggered to the study. \ pretty,
artistic thing such as David had fully
intended to purchase for himself. He
had seen one exactly like it in Il jewel
er's window in North street. He had
pointed it out 10 his mother Why, it
was the Very one! No doubt about it
whatever. David had had the case in
the purchase.
He pressed the spring. and the case
lay open before Elm Inside We're pa
pers; soft. cracking papers; the case
was cramnleds with them. They were
white and clean. and twenty-five of
them in all. Twenty-Five Bank of Eng
land notes for G10 each-e25O!
Are you there?" he whispered. as if
fearful Of 1iStanarS
parcel
containing the notes. So far so
good. Yes, you are right: it is the same
cigar case you admired so much in
Lockhart's the other day. Well, we
have given you an instance of our bona
tides. But $3.50 is of no use to you at
present Beckstein's people would not
accept it on account-they can make
more money by selling you up as the
poetic phrase goes. 1t is in your hands
to procure the other s75O before you
sleep. You can take it as a gift, or. il
you are too proud to do that. you may
regard it as a loan. In which case YOU
can bestcw the money on such charities
as commend themselves to you. Now
are you going to place yourself entirely
in my hands?"
Steel hesitated no longer. Under the
circumstances, few men would. as he
had definite assurance that there was
nothing dishonorable to be DONE A lit
tie courage, little danger, perhaps
and he could hold up his head before
the world: he could return to his desk
tomorrow with the passion flowers
over his head and the scent groves
sweet to his nostrils. And the mater
could dream happily, for there would be
no sadness or sorrow in the morning.
II will do exactly what you tell me-"
he said.
Spoken like man." the voice cried.
Nobody will know you have left the
house-you can be home in an hour.
You will not be missed. Come, time is
getting short, and I have my risks as
we'll as others. Go at once to Old Steine.
Stand on the path close to the shadow
of King George W., and wait there.
Somebody will say Come and you will
follow. Good night!'
Steel would have said more, but the
tinkle Of his own bell told him that the
stranger had ruug off. He laid his CT
gar case on the writing table, slipped
his cigarette case into his pocket. salts
fed himself that he had his latch-key,
and put on dark overcoat. Overhead
the dear old mater was sleeping peace
fully. He closed the front door caref d.
ly behind him and strobe resolutely in
to the darkness.