Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-04-24


"Ah!" the voice cried: "ah. If YOU
could only tell me that! Yet my ruff'an
only imagine that an, dead: let him
have proofs of it, and the thing is done.
I could reach him then: I could tear
from him the letter that-but need not
go into details. But he is cunning us
the serpent. Nothing but the most con.
| vincing proofs would satisfy him"
"a certificate of DEATH signed by -
| physician beyond reproach."
Yes: that would do. But you could
not get a medical man like that to COM
nit felony"
mo; but we could trick him into it,
| Steel exclaimed. I'm my story. a fraud
is perpetrated to bird the villain and to
case of the end iustifying the means.
But it is one thing, my dear lady. to
commit fraud actually. and to perpe-
trate it in Il novel. In the latter case
you can defy the police: but, unfortun-
ately. YOU and are dealing with real
life. If I am to help YOU, must be a
party to the felony"
But YOU will? You are not going te.
draw back now: Mr.. Steel, have saved
your home You are happy man COM
pared to what YOU were two hours ago.
If the risk is great. you have brains
and ina g.nation to get out of danger.
Show me how to do it, and the rest shall
be mine. You have never seen me: you
know nothing. not even the name of the
person who called you over the tele-
phone. You have only to keep your
own counsel. and if [ wade in blood TO
my end, YOU are safe. Tell me how l
can die. disappear. leaving that one
man to believe 1 am no more. And do
not make it too ingenious. Don't for
get that YOU promised to show me a ra
tional way out of the difficulty. How
can it be donar"
In my pocket I have cutting from
the Times whca contains a chapter
from the history of medical student
who is alone in London. 1t closely re-
SemhlaS my plCt. He SAYS he has NO
friends. and he deems it prudent. for
reasons we need not discuss. to let the
world assume that he is dead. The rest
is tolerably easy. He DISCUSSES himself
and goes to a doctor of repute, whom
he asks to come and see his brother-i
e., himself-who is dangerously ill. The
doctor goes. later in the day, and finds
his patient in bed. with severe internal
Inflammation. This is brought about by
a free use of albumen. I don't know
what amount of albumen one would
take without extreme risk. but you
could pump that information out of
doctor. Well. our medical man calls
again. and yet again, and finds his pa
tent sinking. The next day the pa
tient. disguised. calls upo1 his doctor
With the information that his brother
is dead. The doctor is not in the least
surprised. and. without going to view
the body. gives a certificate of death.
Now. l admit. that all this sounds
cheap and theatrical: but you can't
get over facts. The thing actually hap
pened a little time ago in London. and
there is no reason why it shouldn't hap
pen again."
you suggest that I should do this
thins?' the voice asked.
Pardon me. did nothing Of the
kind Steel replied. You asked me to
show you how my heroine gets herself
out of terrible position. ard 1 am do
in. it. You are not without friends.
The way I was called Up tonight and
the way was brought here, prove that.
With the aid of your friends. the thing
is possible. You are only to find lodg
ing where people are not too observalt
and a doctor who is too busy, or too
careless. to look after dead patients,
and t!:a thing is done. If you desire to
be looked upon as dead-especiaiiy as
powerful enemy-I cannot recommend 81
more natural, rational way than this.
AS to the details, they may be safely
left to you. The clever manner in which
you have kept up the mystery tonight
convinces me that I have nothing to
to ApI
there is anything more I can do"
"a thousand, thousand thanks:" the
voice cried, passionately. ''To be looked
upon as dead 10 be near to the rascal
who smiles to think that 7 am in my
grave. And everything so dull
AID prosaic on the surface! Yes, have
friends who will aid me in the business.
Some day 1 may be able to thank you.
face to face, to tell you how I managed
to see your plot. May II"
The question came quite eagerly, al.
most imploringly. In the darkness, Steel
felt hand trembling on his breast. a
; cool. slim hand, with many rings on the
fingers Steel took the hand and carried
it to mis- lips.
Nothing would give me greater
! pleasure" he said. "And may you be
successful. Good -night."
Goodnight. and God bless you for a
real gentleman ard true friend. I
will go out Of the room first, and put
| the lights up afterwards. You will
walk away and close the door behind
you. The newspaper cutting! Thanks.
And once more. goodnight but let us
hope not goodbye."
/ She was gone. Steel could hear the
distant. dying swish of silk, the rustic
of the portiere. and then, with a click,
the lights came up again Half-blind-
ed by the sudden illumination, Steel
fumbled his way to the door and into
| the street AS he did so, Hove Town
Hall clock chimed two. With a cigar
cite between his teeth. David made his
way home.
He could not think it all out yet; he
would wait unit. he was in his own
comfortable chair, under the roses and
palms leading from his study. A fine
night of adventure. truly, and paying
one. He PRESSED the precious packet of
notes to his side ard his soul expanded.
He was home at last. But, surely, he
had closed the door before he started?