New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-25
CHAPTER XIX.
CHECKMATEI

H-. Rogerss attitude stiffened with mock ter
ror- So natural 1t that I covered back
under the bed. He closed the valise with
| snap as a heel grated on the window ledge and
George Leicester dropped into the room.
''wh-ew! So that's why you couldn't hear
an old friends signal Boiling were you? No,
no. my pretty duck-pay first. If you please"
Take IT, them
Mr. Rogers swung round him and smote
him full on the noutn-a neat blow and beau
tfully timed. The man went down like OK,
his head striking the floor with second thud
close behind my hiding place.
Miss Belcher ran from her curtain, ella piping
her hands. But Mr.. Rogers had not finished
with his man
Shut the window he commanded. ffinging
himself forward and gripping Leicester's hands
as they clutched at the carpet Here. young
ster-pass the straps yonder and hold on to his
legsr'
The blow had so ratified Leicester-had come
so very near to shifting him senseless-that he
scarcely struggled while we bound him, trusting
him like a fowl, with the aid Of Miss Belchers
| riding crop, which she obligingly handed. He
was not a pretty object, with his mouth full
| of blood and two Of his teeth knocked awry, and
we made him ludicrous one. Toward the end
| Of the operation he began to spit and curse.
Gently, my lad" Mr.. Rogers turned him
don't mean to disappoint you. Let's see what
you're WORTH He plunged hand into Leices-
ter's breeches pocket and drew forth a coin or
two.
Let me alone, you-thief?' roared Leices-
ter, his voice coming back 70 him in full
| strength.
Indeed, Mr.. Rogers" the rector protested
this is going too far. doubt"
It's funny work for a justice Of the peace.
I'll own" he answered, with a grin at MISS
Belcher. Lydia, my dear, be so good as to
bring one of those candles; want to have
look at these coins All, I thought soF
Put that money back where you found 1t!
snarled Leicester. by -. 1 don't know what
you're after. but I'll have the law you for
this evenings work."
All in good time my friend; you shall have
rs much law as you like. and trtfe over See
rector Mr.. Rogers pointed to a scratch on
the face of one Of the coins.
Leicester began TO smell danger What's
wrong with the money!" he demanded Then
as no one answered. There's nothing wrong
with It. is there?" he asked.
Depends where you got it, and how" he was
answered
Look here-youre not treating me fair"
urged the rogue, changing his tone IF it's
over the money you're knocking me about like
this you're naltreating innocent man; for
had it from Parson Whitmore-every penny
"Ah If you can prove that"-Mr. Rogerss
face was perfectly grave-'you're lucky man.
or else a very unlucky one. indeed. The Rev
Mr.. Whitmore has disappeared"
The scoundrers face was study. MISS
Belcher turned to the window to hide a smile,
and even the rector was forced to pull his lip
Disappeared Mr.. Rogers repeated land not
rnysteriousIy. The unfortunate part of the bust
1-l-,ey he af q n
of any money actually paid to you On the
contrary we gathered that for some reason or
other he owed you a considerable sum which
he found difficulty IN paying Let me see -
he looked around If for CONFIRMATION
the sum was $50, II mistake not? we FOUND
II difficult to guess how he, priest in holy or
ders came 70 you this substantial amount
But perhaps you met him on his way, and these
g11ineas in my hand were rendered as part pay
meqt?"
George Leicester blinked Accustomed to play
with the fears of others. he understood Well
enough the banter in Mr.. Rogerss tone, and
that he was being sauced in his own sauce. He
read the menace in it, too But what could he
answer?
u had the money from whitmore' he repeat
ed. doggedly.
When
THAT I'll leave you to find out" He laughed
short laugh between rage and derlslon- Gau
you've a fair stock Of impudence among you.
First you assault half kill me and tie me up
here without a pennorth of reason given. ana
now you're inviting me 10 walk INTO ahother
trap-for all 1 learn, merely because 1t
aynuses YOU. It won't do my fine Justice fellow;
and that vourI discover as soon as get out of
this"
1.-The question is important. nevertheless
NAV tell YOU that at time or another these
coins were in the possession of the Jew. Rodri-
guez. who was found murdered in Southside-st
Plymouth, yesterday morning You perceive
therefore. that something depends on when and