Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-11-11
CHAPTER XIV

OF claiming ii"
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 differently; among other things, Da-
vid's extraordinary scheme of revenge
might never have been possible. If
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-
vid's American pals-the gentlemen who
had all done something" The box,
when David had carried it home, proved
to be quite full of papers. His own
knowledge of their value was slight but
he knew very we'll 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 II
o'clock in the forenoon. He was receiv-
ed with the cordially generally extended
to all needy relations. Mr.. Leighan shut
fed his papers as a 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.
1--WE come, uncle" David began very
slowly, spreading himself upon a chair
and producing a small brown paper
packet I've come, uncle"
Don't be longer than you can help
David. Get to the subject at once, if
you can. Say what you came to say
and then go away and leave me with my
own business. It's high time you were
looking after your own. Will George
Sidcote give you a job? hear you Dor
rowed bed yesterday. and chair and
table, and that you have settled in the
cottage-my cottage. Very good l don't
mind if you have it rent free till you
get into work, when you'll have to pay
your rent like your neighbors. II you be-
gin any more nonsense about robblng you
OF your land you go out at once"
David, at the risk of seeming nonot-
onous, uttered forceful wish for the
destruction OF his uncles cottage.
If that is all you came to say.
nephew, the sooner you go the better,
And the sooner you clear out of my cot
tage and leave the parish, the better, or
I'll make the place too hot for you
Il didn't come to rail at you, uncle
said David, more meekly. 'Tf 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. toon'
Then make haste about it."
SIX years ago, they tell me, you
were robbed, that night when YOU fell
Off your pony, after ia gone away"
1T was the evening of that very day."
"Ah.-David's eyes smiled. though
his lips did motive little thought when
used those words with which we mart
ed 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 vor,
say, David, it's a judgmentY"
NO, didn't, David"
You felt it all the more. then ya.v
well. While you lay there. as they teiI
me, some one comes along and robs von
What did you lose, uncle? Was If vour
watch and chain and all your money 2"
No; my watch and chain were M,
taken and only little of the money"
Uncle are you sure you were robbed
10 you think that robbers ever leave
money behind them? Was the mona,
taken in notes, or was it in gold?"
1T was all in gold. Fifty pounds ir
one bag, twenty pounds in the other. and
both bags in one pocket. The small bar
was taken and the big bag left. RnI
: what does it matter to you?"
You shall see presently. | am goine
= to surprise you, uncle. What else IA,
you lose besides the little bag?"
2 / lost box of papers-but what doe,
IT matter to you? Did you come her,
' to inquire about my robbery? | suppos,
: you are glad to hear of it."
r Never mind, uncle You 90 on an
E: sWering my questions; I've got my rea
sons. l am going to surprise you. Wal
: bit"
I ell, then; but what can you know
1t was tin box secured by a lock an,
e tied round with a leather strap: | ear
< rled 1t in blue bag-a lawyers bag
hanging around my neck for safety"
I What was in that box, did you say 2
}, DAVID the old man changed color
ana became perfectly white, and clutch
ed at the arms Of his chair and pulle
himself upright. moved By the thought
a David have you heard anything? hav
I you found anythingT'
Wait bit; all in good time. VIVA
was In that box, did you say, againY'
9 Papers. | lost with that box paper
II 10 the tune Of three thousand pounds
all In couponsg
II 1t was a judgment! Why, my NOR
y cages were not so very much more. Tire
o thousand pounds! Come, even you woul
n feel that, wouldn't you? Were there a,
u tually three thousand pounds In ths
e boxT