Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-10-02
CHAPTER XIV.


Of claiming It,"
CHAPTER XIV.
Had taken that canvas bag to Graf
nor early in the morning instead Of tho
| 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 1t homo. 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. 1--WE come, uncle"
Don't be longer than you can help,
David. Get to the subject at once, II
| vA~A
and then 60 away and leave me with my
own business. It's high time you were
looking after your own. Will George
Sidcote give you job? I hear you Dor
rowed a bed yesterday, and a chair and
table, and that you have settled In the
cottage-my cottage. Very good. 1 don't
mind If you have 1t 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 robbing you
OF your land you 90 out at once"
| David, at the risk Of seeming monot-
onous, uttered a forceful wish for the
destruction Ct his uncle's 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 tho parish, the better, or
I'll make the place too hot for you-''
II didn't come to rail at you, uncle"
said David, more meekly. III 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 years ago, they tell me, you
were robbed. that night when you fell
of your pony. after I'd gone away"
ut was the evening Of that very day"
"Ah"'-David's eyes smiled. though
his lips did Motive little thought when
l used those words with which we part
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 you
say, David, It's judgmentY"
mo. l didn't, David
You felt it all the more, then. Very
well. While you lay there, as they tell
me. some one comes along and robs you.
What did you lose, uncle? Was 1t your
mo; my watch and chain were not
|
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 1t in gold?"
at was all in gold. Fifty pounds In
one bag. twenty pounds in the other. and
both bags In one pocket. The small bag
was taken and the big bag left. But
what does it matter to you?"
You shall see presently. I am goins
to surprise you, uncle. What else did
you lose besides the little bag?"
II lost box Of papers-but what does
it matter to you? Did you come here
to inquire about my robbery? suppose
you are glad to hear of It,"
Never mind uncle. You 60 on an.
swering my questions; I've got my rea
sons. l am going to surprise you. Wal,
a Bit"
well, then; but what can you know
1t was tin box secured by a lock and
tied round with a leather strap; l car
ried it in a blue bag-a lawyers bag
hanging around my neck for safety"
What was in that box, did you say?'
David" the old man changed color
and became perfectly white, and clutch
ed at the arms Of his chair and pulled
himself upright, moved by the thought
David! have you heard anything? have
you found anythingr'
"Wait 4 bit; all In good time. What
was In that box. did you say, again"
Papers. lost with that box paperi
to the tune Of three thousand pounds
all In eoupons!'
1T was q judgment! Why, my mort
cages were not 20 very much more. Tire
thousand poundsl Come. even you woult
feel that, wouldn't your Were there &C
tually three thousand pounds In tina
boxr'