Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-08-20

man, but Il quick one. Did we not see
his blood on the broken window:"
Buckford trembled. He had wiped
the blood from his hands and face with
his handkerchief. but now kept his
hands concealed and his face screened
from the light lest Il show of blood
should betray him.
We'll. are we to stand here till he
comes and asks us to kill him." asked
one of the party. I'm Il moment the
police will be here. And then what.
chg"
Every WE'LL" said man owning the
voice Ruckford had heard in the door,
Have some one wait here to watch.
We will continue
"lIave you any objection. stay awake,
to our company:"
"None. shall be pleased" replied
Ruckford.
there ON watch. The others separated
into groups and Went in various direc-
tons.
Buckford was in an agony of appre-
hension. Ii the real Waterman return
ed while these fellows We're there.
what might not happen. and especially
if the Waterman was drunk?
The American thought owe: every
possible method of defeating his foes
that came into his head. Nothing prom
Used success. If the police came that
way. he would certainly call for assist
ancc. but to call for the police when
there was no police i'll sight would be
folly. He would simply be bounced
upon and slain before the police could
arrive.
An hour passed while he was thus
wild with apprehension. and then a
drunken whistle was heard coming.
Here comes some one. We must
question him." said one of the watch
ers.
Buckford looked toward the APP
preaching man. AS he passed under
street light Wallace noted that he wore
no hat.
Horrors! 1t was the Waterman. and
he was far from sober.
And now. with certain destruction
staring him in the face. Buckford Wal
lace thought as he had never thought
before.
To wait there till the drunken watch
man came and demanded his keys. his
jacket, his SLOUGH hat. would be to sit
silently inviting death.
He rose. stretched himself, yawned
and said:
"NIy friends. should have been re-
lieved an hour ago. My assistant some.
times stops at NJ. jacques. leave
the place in your care while go to see
if he is there. request, however, that
you allow no one to enter the build.
;ngs."
"Oh, never fear, old stay awake. We
will take care Of your buildings You
arc so anxious you must have for
tune invested here"
They all laughed at this joke. and
Buckford walked away in the oppo-
site direction from that in which the
real Waterman was.
Good" he said to himself. "ly
only chance is NJ. de Bullion, and for
tunately am before his door. l will
waken the millionaire and tell him the
whole story. He will give me his pow
erful protection until l can commune
cate with the police"
He turned into the corner building.
He ran up one flight of stairs. He
knocked loudly on a door.
There was no answer.
This NJ. de Bullion is a sound Sleep
er," he said. II will get him up if
have to pound in the door,
1t was not so easy to pound in the
door, but he did make Il tremendous
| noise.
Heavens. The mob will hear it
even if NJ. de Bullion does not said
Buckford. Stop! This won't do. I'll
use the key and make my explanations
afterward."
1t was easy to find the big brass
key and fit it to the lock. 1t turned
easily. and Buckford opened the door.
He turned again. shut the door and
locked it.
For the first time since he had faced
his enemies in the little room he
Breathed freely.
There" he said, with grunt of sat
isfaction, II am safe for time. They
will scarcely dare intrude upon the pri-
vacy of NJ. de Bullion
Having secured himself thus, he took
a match from his pocket and lighted it,
The gas had not yet been piped into
the buildings. He found, however, a
dingy looking lamp resting on dusty
shelf. He lighted this.
Il fancy" he said, that the watch.
man was mistaken. There is surely no
one in this apartment tonight. l have
made noise enough to wake the dead"
He looked around the room. 1t was.
or would be when finished, q COW and
pretty reception room. 1t was now lit
tered with bits of wood, plaster and
nails.
He stepped from this room into the
next. No one there.
In this room there was q chair. hut If
had been overturned.
In one corner a small ornamental
closet had been built. This was open.
Workmen's clothing had been in it.
Now this was strewn on the floor.
Hello" said Ruckford uhon no COW,