Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-03-22

CONFUSION OF any nefar1ouS ScOunurel
with u big maw.' These were the ok
act words, rs l happen to remember.
In which I introduced the subject, us
Mr.. GreatoreN Will no doubt recall,
terms on his tongue. like myself. But
that, l reckon, is what started It," And
with this Sercomhc replaced his cigar
between his teeth and went III smok-
ing TRANQUILITY.
The sergeant thanked him, trowning
In some embarrassment: then he turned
on his heel and. Salutins to the com
pany, vanished after his superior
through the doorway.
Sercombe got up. well. we can
break up now. gentlemen" he said.
Sorry to interrupt harmony, but I've
got business to do"
II am greatly obliged to YOU" l said.
somewhat sheepily.
You're very welcome" says the
captain, with a wide smile.
But what about the gypsics?" I con
tinued.
"Oh, l suppose the police will catch
them" he remarked, his grin growing
broader. But. you see, one Of you
would be able to recognize them"
Sheppard burst into laughter, and l
was faln to follow him, but Montgom-
cry stared in Amusement and with a
certain latent dislike at the adventur-
er, pursuing him out into the courtyard
with his steadfast eyes.
CHAPTER NH.
~ERCOMBE'S %frankness proved of
u q piece with his conduct hither-
A to. I could not imagine the old
soldier making a bad blunder,
and the news that came to us later
demonstrated the method in his candor.
Sheppard encountered the sergeant
near Llanellan and found that his ex-
petition into the Gwent had had no
luck. There was no camp in the bot
tom. Evidences Of the recent presence
of strangers there were in plenty, but
not q sign remained to indicate into
what hiding place they had withdrawn.
To q number Of persons, with
their effects, and the men foreigners,
too, and thereby certain to attract the
attention Of the villagers, would seem
tmpracticable without some public no
tice. But apparently no one had scen
a trace of the fugitives. They had AN
ished as completely as though the en-
campment had been a mirage Of our
disordered brains.
1t was clear, however, that there
would be no assault upon the castle
that night. Jones and his troopers
hung about the village, and the for
mel was too Jealous to allow any dis
order under his nose. Scrcombe would
not dare to risk a second attack. That
much was for our comfort. He had
put it to me ingeniously that the inter
ference Of the police would embarrass
him, and I was heartily glad to hear
It., for We needed some further re-
sources for our defense. That was
plain enough. We had been able to
resist the enemy on his first two at
tempts. but we had a most cunning
and deadly foe, and l began to doubt
If we could hold out against q renewal
Of hostilities unless, indeed, We broke
our silent compact and called in the
assistance Of the law. We had de-
cided to discard Williams from our So
ciety. He was too hazardous an ally,
and we could not hope to circumvent
the police q second time. AS it was. l
saw that some suspicious We're breed
Ing in the sergeant's mind. l suppose
we took too lightly what was bruitcd
about the country for q great 'sensa-
ton The storming of the castle even
In the distorted narrative which vii.
ltams had delivered to his friends
sounded remarkable in so dull and un-
eventful a place as that COUNTRYSIDE.
Pieces OF rulnor concerning it crept
Into the London papers subsequently,,
and we were most unwillingly become
the figures In a tragic and heroic al
venture.
We resolved despite the promised
respite to pretermit no one Of the pre-
cautions. and Montgomery mounted
guard at s O'Clock on the keep tower.
09 ullu L Sat ONcI our Wine
we were interrupted by Mrs. Main.
who had been greatly stirred by the
visit Of a justice. She came ostensibly
with a question, but in reality to
breathe the air of our central excite.
ment.
II am to give Williams his upper
tonight, as last night, SIR she asked.
l told her No. and her wits WIZ
dercd to the vents Of the day without
more ado.
But presently she came back. "Iben
I'm not to prepare supper for VIII
liams, sir?"
Williams will not be sleeping here
tonight l replied. "He left at the
usual hour-6 o'clock"
Her face wore a blank look, as Of
n struggling with p%erplexity, md. as
Stunning that she had fears on her own
account to combat, l went on, lyon
see. we shall be perfectly safe with
the police looking after US"
ooh, Lord. sir. 'tisn't that" she made
answer, as though deprecating my re-
Election o her courage, but Wiuiam.
isn't gone, SIR
But he u.s." said Sheppard. II SAW
him myself two hours ago halfway to