The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-03-01

ed or warrants issued for the arrest OF
one Leathwood. But at last night came.
and he was able to set out for the house
with the feeling that, once he reached
it, he would at least know the worst.
Even when he got to it he fingered
about the adjacent streets for a long
| time, fearing to go ear it, but sum-
mcned courage at last to put his key In
the lock of the garden gate, and slipped
in. The rooms that were usually IN
habited were lit up as usual, and the
sight Of the friendly lights gave him
confidence. He let himself into the
house and went up stairs. Cornelius
Viewers, who had heard his step upon
the stairs. came out to greet him.
Not a word was said until the two
men were in the room and Nugent had
shut the door and set his back against
it. Then he saw, by the look in the
eyes Of Cornelius that something was
very wrong indeed; the placidity Of that
usually calm old reprobate was broken
up and gone.
"Well? What the dickens do you
stare at me like that for? What has
happened?" he asked, in a sort Of fierce
whisper.
Cornelius backed away towards the
table, and stood leaning against 1t,
drawing one hand across his lips and
blinking his eyes. Tive only just
just come back from it, he whispered.
Come back from what? What are
you talking about?' asked the other,
coming forward from the door to look
more closely at the old man. why
you've not beer drinking, have you?"
Cornelius shook his head. mo. 1've
not" he retorted. "This is all the
thanks a man gifts for lookin' after is
masters interests. I've just been Into
that-the other 'ouse."
"Well, the sight of what was there
shook up. your nerves. chg" sneered
Leathwood. "It doesn't take much to
upset you-that's pretty evident"
1.-THE sight might ave upset neil
there'd been any," retorted the old man.
But it was what wasn't there that
startled me-
Wasn't there? What are you talking
about? What wasn't there?"
1.-The body!" Mr.. Viewers nodded
slowly, to emphasize his words.
Nugent Leathwood seemed almost to
have stopped breathing; he opened his
mouth once or twice, as though to
speak, and made a quick motion with
his hands,; at last blurted out hoarse-
ly: 1.-THE body not there? You must be
mad; you've looked in tie wrong place
for it."
Gave L? Am I likely to forget where
we put it; 'aven't I bin every step Of
the way in my sleep, a 'undred times?
in the wrong place, Indeed! I tell you
the cupboard is empty; the dead man
might ave walked out Of it. for all there
is of i'm left"
Don't talk like that" cried Leath-
wood, with a shudder. you've blund-
cred somehow, you must have done so.
Good heavens! the man was dead
enough, in all conscience: do you mean
to suggest that he has recovered and
escaped? Here-give me the light; I'll
go and look myself"
go and look, and then say I'm mad
afterward." said Cornelius, handing him
a candle. II don't know whether the
man was dead or not; I only know he
amt there"
"I'Il wager I'll find him fast enough"
said Nugent, with a laugh. "Not there,
indeed! I almost wish he were not; hi
has been a laundering business. all
through, and I thought to do it so neat
ly! .Here-you can take the light and
go in front"
In that order, with Cornelius leading,
they went down stairs, and turned into
that long passage which connected the
two houses, and along which they had
carried the body on that night of MUIR
der. Near the enc of the passage they
stopped and drew together; Cornelius
softly blew out the candle. Then they
could see through the chink of a door at
the farther end a little thin thread OF
light.
"what does that mean?" whispered
Nugent. "Who can be there?"
Cornelius, mastering up some u
age, stepped forward quickly: blundered,
in the darkness, against his companion,
and dropped the candlestick, with a
rattle, to the ground. Even while he
stopped to tumble for 1t, the thin
thread Of light was gone. They got the
candle and relighted It,, and went for
ward cautiously; opened the door and
passed into the room. Crossing 1t, after
8 moments hesitation, they began to
ascent the stairs leading to the upper
rooms.
Suddenly, Leatf.wood caught at the
old mans coat and held him still. "Do
you hear that?'' he breatEed.s3
WHAT"
"Scmecne going on in front Of us. A
woman, I should think; I can hear the
rustic Of a dress. Listen" Nugent
Leathwood turned to Cornelius, to see
II he could read in Ills face that he also
heard the same sound.
The old man listened intently for q
~oront and then shook his head. cts
your fancy" he whispered. There
may be ghosts 'ere;5 I shouldn't be sur
prised. But they're not likely to make
a noise. Fancy, I tell you. :
They went on again, Leathwood stop
ping every now and then to listen-fretT
ting himself with the thought that they
were watched. or that they might. In
any turn Of the stairs, come across
something terrible and unearthly. But
they came at last, without adventure, to
the room that had once belonged to Gill
bert Rickerby-thefroOI1 In which they
had hidden the body Here Cornelius,
feeling that he was about to be vindi-
Gated, set down the candle and pointed
to the cupboard.
snow, Mi. Leathwood, perhaps You
won't mind openini that there cupboard
and lookin' for yourself. Tad my turn.
Now it's yours ss %#8
Leathwood shook his head. I'd
rather not he said. ~"Sinceyyou are 20
positive about It, open the door your
self; I'll look fast enough, if what you