Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-05-03
CHAPTER NNI.

~ERCOMBE came to Il pause.
e. That's all, gentlemen he said.
~ Il made tracks for the castle
then. l don't know how far it
was, but l covered the distance as fast
as l could. You see, l was afraid. 1
was left for dead-dead l was to those
two brigands, and dead l am reported
to Mr.. Hood. That's all right. l don't
regret it. 1t gives me Il chance. I've
got my hand in n0w, and, by thunder,
I'll keep it,
He ceased and fell back in his chair.
while q silence held US for some sec
onds. Then Sheppard rose and, a
brightness shining in his eyes, put out
his hand in his impulsive u Cap
TAIN" said he, you've blotted out Il
good many points by this story, and l
don't hesitate to say so on my own be-
half"
Sercombe accepted his hand and
laughed. The trouble is, MI. SheD-
pard,' said he, that l had to strike the
bargain not With YOU, but with Mr..
GreatoreX. l wish I'd known YOUR feel
ingS before"
Care YOU all right" 1 asked. "What
about this wound?'
He rose from his seat. 81 pay no
heed to trifles when I'm on real bust
ness he declared. You must remem-
Der that it was mainly exhaustion that
did for me-, and, thanks to the wine and
the good meal and the brandy, I'm an
other man. I'm not eats meat yet, and
l fancy I'll see other people out before
l am" he ended significantly.
VERY WE'LL said I. "And now Your
plans:"
He looked at the clock. High time,
too" he exclaimed. Tonight, l know,
was the time fixed. but what hour |
didn't hear. I guess about dark. The
place | can find With your aid. Isn't
there a stream that runs south of these
hills into the Ray?'
"There is the stream behind u.s.
answered. Il believe, that wanders out
below the town, but I've never traced
it."
THAT Will be tia mile this side of
the river itself. We can follow the
course-and the sooner the better. Are
we ready
READY this moment | answered.
looking at Sheppard and Montgom-
cry, who nodded.
"Then let Us get away
We turned to leave the room. when
I suddenly recalled what we had all
forgotten III the excitement of thc mar.
rative and this precipitate plan of cam
paign.
Good heavens! What about the DO
lice? They will be watching for YOU"
Sercombe frowned. "This is nasty"
he said, sitting down again. You are
right. Will they take me-"
They have a warrant | replied.
Eyes, yes; true. Well, we must dodge
them. | reckon the castle can do that
If The castle can stand a siege" no
said, smiling.
AS we were considering, Sercombe
still with his smile upon his face and
the rest Of us about the room. Shep-
pard leaning upon the back Of a chair,
A>i ~ " at ihS uCDI. we
all started, but, recollecting that if
could be no more than Mrs. Main. T
answered to the rap. Mrs. Main it was
but, after all, there was some reason
III u start Of uneaSineSs.
Mr.. Jones, sir, wisllc, 10 see YOU"
said she.
A look passed round the assembly.
1T seems that we are a!liclputrl,r re-
marked ScrcOlnhe pleasantly.
Did he ask who Wa> "lprc:' | in
quirrd.
$50, sir; he said he would Ike TO see
you"
VERY we'll / ~gua,gote,I a!oyI. !;
"slow III. ,.,u Ia" !.ln,,Hg /" And
when Mrs. Ma,lt wa gouc said:
"lliis h"!"I lr nat ~ to II point.
Jones Is In.r ".t.r y'u, captain, Ills
men ~r"" Wdirnul@
cor ,pu!E,r, 'lrn SI1"@. ~r,. there's
the ouli"i froGl li'U =" e.. luOrr."
",oN w"'.r 2"t5 < 81 H." Il Ser
colHDc "aray,