The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-10-21
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV,
Had l taken that canvas bag to Graf
nor early In the morning instead Of the
evening, many things might have turned
out Inherently; among other things, Da-
vid's extraordinary schome Of revenge
might never have been possible. III
had told Daniel Leighan the strange
thing had witnessed from Hooknor Tor,
he must certainly have connected the
box taken from Grimspound with the
box Of his own papers.
The scheme was almost worthy Of Da-
yid's American pals-the gentlemen who
had all done something" The box,
when David had carried 1t home, proved
to be quite full Of papers. His own
knowledge Of their value was slight, but
he knew very well that signed papers
had been his own destruction, and that
the possession Of signed papers made his
uncle rich.
David called upon his uncle about IL
o'clock in the forenoon. He was Feceiv-
ed with the cordially generally extended
to all needy relations. Mr.. Lsfghan shut
ned his papers as sign that he was
busy and wished the call to be short,
nodded his head with scant courtesy, and
asked his nephew what he came for.
ave come, uncle" David began very
slowly, spreading himself upon a chair
and producing small brown paper
packet. GIVE come, uncle
Don't be longer than you can help,
David. Get to the subject at once, IL
you can. Say what you came to say,
and then 80 away and leave me with my
own business. It's high time you were
looking after your own. WIN George
Sidcote give you job2 I hear you Dor
rowed q bed yesterday, and a chair and
q table, and that you have settled In the
cottRge-my cottage. Very good. I don't
mind II you have It rent free till you
get into work, whom you'll have to pay
your rent like your neighbors.. II you be-
gin any more nonsense about robbinE you
of your land you go out at once"
David, at the risk Of seeming monot-
onous, uttered a forcsful wish for the
destruction Of his Nuncls's cottage.
''If that Ia all you came to say,
nephew, the sooner you 60 the better.
And the sooner yen clear out Of my cot
tage and leave the parish, the better, OF
I'll make the place too hot for you
II didn't come to rail at you, uncle, ="
said David, more meekly. eff you
wouldn't keep on-there, I've done; now
hold your tongue and listen. I've got
something very serious to say, and It's
about your business, too!'
'"Then make haste about It."
"six Year, ago, they tell me, you
were robbed, that night when you fell
of your pony, after I'd gone away"
sit was the evening Of that very day"
"Ahp'-David'g eyes smiled, though
his lips did Motive little thought when
L used those words with which we part.
I'd how quick they'd come true. When
you lay there on the broad Of your back
now, your face white and your eyes open
but never seeing so much as the moon In
the sky, did you think Of your nephew
whose farm you'd robbed, and did you
say, David, tits Judgment"
mo, didn't, David"
"You felt 1t all the more, then. Very
we'll. While you lay there, as they tell
me, some one comes along and robs you
What did you lose, uncle? Was It your
watch and chain and all your money!
"No; my watch and chain were moi
taken, and only a little Of the money"
Uncle, are you sure you were robbed
Do you think that robbers ever leave
money behind them? Was the money
taken in notes, or was it In goldr'
ut was all in gold. Fifty pounds IN
one bag, twenty pounds in, the other, ant
both bags In one pocket. The small bag
was taken and the big bag left. But
what does it matter to your
"You shall see presently. I am going
to surprise you, uncle. What else die
you lose besides the little bag"
81 lost box Of papers-but what doei
1t matter to you? Did you come herr
to inquire about my robbery? l Suppos'
you are glad to hear Of It."
Never mind, uncle. You 80 on an
swering my questions; I've got my rea
sons. l am going to surprise you. Wal
q bit"
"Well, then; but what can you know
1t was a tin box secured by lock ant
tied round with q leather strap; l car
risd 1t In a blue bag-a lawyers bag
hanging around my neck for safety"
What was In that boz, did you say T
'DavidP the old man changed color
and became perfectly white, and clutch
ed at the arms of his chair and pulist
himself upright, moved by the thought
ssDayid! have you heard anythingf haV
you found anythingT
"Wait g bit; all In good time. VIVA
was In that box, did you say, again
"Papers. / lost with that box paper
to the tune Of three thousand pounds
ali In coupOnsw
"It was a Judgment Why, my mort
cages were mot 30 very much more. Tire
thousand poundaI Come, even you Woui
feel that, wouldn't your Were there az
tualIy three thousand pounds In tia
ssrha man wha ateIa that bex Nigh