The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-03-08
By TOM GALLON



wrong of the matter, and was keeping
his hungry eyes fixed only on that splen.
did bait Of 9500. MS. Reeks, who had
been at first more eager even than he
was about the matter, began to have
qualms.
"Are you quite sure, George, that you
won't be doing anyon a wrong II you
sell these papers? Remember, George
we've been unlucky so far, but we've
gone through things with clean hands;
there isn't a living creature can say we
have wilfully cheated them. And I re-
member, George, you told me about that
young girl-or at least you suggested
something about her. If h Is connect
ed with Gilbert Rickerby, isn't it posi-.
BILE that we might be doing her a wrong
as well as him?"
"My dear'-Mr. Reeks tapped his foot
nervously IN the floor-"you have such
such a very uncomfortable way OF
putting the thing. At any rate, don't
let us talk about it any more tonight;
something has got to be done to relieve
us from our present uncomfortable po-
sition, and this seems to be he only
way. Well talk about it tomorrow;
we can look at the matter more clearly
then" ..
They were both very p%erturbed IN
mind, and it is probable that neither OF
them slept very soundly tina night. Hut
in the morning the beery-looking brok-
er's man was again in evidence; he had
to be fed, and the position looked more
desperate than ever. The Ilow day wore
away; the afternoon passed, and night
came again, with no prospect of relief.
More than all, fell rumor had got
abroad, procla:ming the state of the
case; and indignant tradesmen and 9th
ers descended on the Gus and played
havoc with the knccker, and
insulting remarks through the key-hole.
AT about 10 o'clock at night Mr. George
Reeks rose up so!amnly, took the candle
and went up stairs. Mrs. Reeks must
have known what was afoot, for h fol-
lowed him without a word
They got to h room where Gilbert
Rickerby's possessions were spread
about; Mr.. Reeks set dow the candle
and took up the writing case into which
a | the papers had been thrust on the
night when first they had examined
them. Mr.. Rocks looked about him
guiltily, and his hands trembled as he
fastened the case; then, without a
word, they went down stairs again.
Having gained the little sitting room
and closed the door, Mr.. Reeks made a
compact parcel Of the writing case and
put it under his arm.
my dear Mrs. r." said h little
man, solemnly, "if I could have seen
any other way out Of it I would never
have done this; if any money. however
small, had come in to-day, I would have
kept my word and held on to these pa
pers for the man to whom they belong.
But we've got to be fed: that wretched
brokers' man has got to be fed; and the
many knocks on u front door are be-
| coming a scandal to the neighborhood.
Five hundred pounds will enable us to
snap our fingers at everyone, and !
mean to get it tonight"
Mrs. Reeks said neutrality-suspicious.
wisely; all the words in the world
would never alter the fact that the thing
was wrong. But she. too, felt that there
was no way out Of their troubles but
this, and so her silence gave consent.
Mr.. Reeks put on his hat and left the
house, lodging around the first corner.
in order to escape anyone who might be
lying in wait. Gripping the precious
parcel tightly under his arm, he hurried
away to Rickerby's folly.
It was q dark night. and the little
man chose the darkest ways. He start
ed at every shadow, and once he made a
detour across the road when he saw a
policeman standing underneath a lamp
post. Taking, by this means, h long
est route, he delayed himself consider
ably, and it vas nearly midnight her
he darted around the last corner end
came towards the gate of Rickerby's
Folly. Then, as he hurried along, he
suddenly became aware of nimble foot
steps close behind him, and broke into
a run.
The footsteps became faster and near
er, and a hand was laid on his Shout
der. He stopped and backed against
the wall and gripped his parcel, turned
his head sharply, and beheld Gilbert
i Rickerby! \
"what have you got there. Mr..
Reeks?' said Gilbert, pointing to the
parcel.
~"N--nothing," stammered Reeks, with
a feeble smile. ""Only-only a little par
eel I was taking to-"
IA little parcel you were taking to
Mr.. Nugent Leathwood!" broke in Gill
bert, sternly. IA valuable parcel, con-
sidering its size, Mr.. Reeks; about $500.
I should say, eh?"
George Rceks, with q Sigh, held out
the parcel towards i i'm. "Concealment
is useless, sir" he said; you know all
about It. Take It, Mr.. Rickerby, and
let me beg you to call q policeman.
Give me in charge, MI. 5Rickerby!''
cried the little man. wildly; give me
in charge; tit alllthat 10 leftSto mel"
mo: I won't give you In charge, Mr..
Reeks.' replied Gilbert, with a smile. ]
Rave been waiting here for you, because
I wanted to have q word with you,
Take the parcel; that's It. keep It SAFE
~ under your arm. Now, come round
the corne here, into that little alley Of
which you know, where we can talk
without being disturbed
They went together rouni to the bach
Of the house, and stood IN the darknes5
in the alley Of which Gilbert had spok-
en-. And there, setting the little nan
with his back against the wall, Gilbert
stood before him, with folded arms. and
told him what he wished him to do.
In the first place. MI. Reeks, let me
assure you that do not intend to IN.
terfere- with you In any ~ or upset
your plans In regard toXthat parcel.
intend that you shall get the reward
fiom Nugent Leathwood, and that syor
shall. moreoyer.s hand him the papers.'
Mr.. Reeks gaspsd. ndSalmost let. thu
~ rarroI fail IN hfa