The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-21

49, + 80
You mustn't do Il, RegSy.y said
Billery. I'm on Il for d month I've
s promised myself that, and u n1alko the
promise now to you. You never knew
( me to break my word when i've given
you that undertaking" ,' u. .s. /.
All right" said Truseott. '..That's
q bargain. And I shall have my man
In readiness this day month. y *.
Rags" said Billery, rising to his
feet and facing his old companion, ''if
anybody came between me and this
accursed thing when the at is on me
I should kill him." ss
mot you" Truscott answered.
You'll never kill anybody except by
accident. Anyhow, you know what
you have to look forward to. Until
this day month you're a free niger.
From that time until you are prepared
to swear OF for another month 1 shall
have you shepherded, and 30 on Ga
capo and world without end, amen,
until you are ready to pass your word
for good. Why don't you do that here
onu nOW' SOmS: <oo q Mdn anu 1dCo
the music"
NO." said Billery; Il dare not.
can stand a month, and the beginning
and end of that are like purgatory."
"Well let it go at that for the time
being" Truscott responded. But
I'm going to save your soul alive fol
you. and you've got my word for it.
And now let's talk Of something else.
By the way, I've had a business call
from Brangwyn."
"Aloysius?" asked Billery.
Truscott nodded. Something the
Thames Conservancy people want him
to do. referred him to the owner.
That business Of his uncle's disappear
ance is not being followed up, is it?"
Il think the inquiry practically
over" Billery answered. Holt tells
me he has got nothing more to go on
than gave him."
well, you know" said Truscott,
Give only met the man half-a-dozen
times in all, but he doesn't strike me
as sinister sort of fellow. He's not
the kind Of man should feel inclined
to associate with q cold-blooded muir.
der"
Il am as certain of his guilt" said
Billery, "as am of my own exis.
tence. But If the truth is never to be
discovered / shan't be sorry. His
cousin Alexis shares my belief, I
know, and he has such terror of the
exposure as really can't describe. He
fell positively Ill with it, and he had
to go away to the Continent for his
health"
Hes back again." said Truscott
II meet him now and then. He's en-.
gagged to be married to a fair neighbor
Of mine, a Miss Lee, great friend of
that rollicking Irish girl you used to
know. My wife and Miss Lee are as
thick as thieves, and Brangwyn comes
down accounting. He's very different
sort of person from his cousin, but
really, judging for myself, should no
more think of suspecting one of them
of the murder than the other"
81 like Alexis" said Billery.
well, now" Truscott answered,
"if it weren't for the suspicion with
which you inoculated me, 1 think
should have been disposed to like the
other fellow better. It's rather a
queer thing to think that you're talk
ing to man who is possibly muir
derer, and very resolute and cum
ming murderer into the bargain, but
I can't associate the man with DELHI
crate crime. seem to read haunt
ing grief of some sort, rather than re
morse or fear"
IF l had to draw the face of a. man
haunted with the memory of crime
and by a constant terror of discovery"
said Billery, II should draw portrait
of Aloysius Brangwyn. If ever that
man were put on the dock his look
would hang him."
"You know Lisle, the parson down
at the old place, don't you?" Truscott
asked.
1--WE seen him once or twice. l
can't say know him."
Ito BE continued.)