The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-11-15
CHAPTER yxvI.-(Continued. }

Anement In 80 small a space might end
the matter for us, but IL Hubert etill
lived, It was arranged that George Stan
yon should conceive some plan OF silenc-
1ng him forever. He demanded exorbitant
4erms from me, and gave them. was
mad at that time: would have given
III my fortune to have put Hubert Ten
~ out of my path, not only because he
dgniied my ruin, but because Antonia
1cved him."
4w'hat plan did Stanton suggest to you
kor silencing your victim?" asked Ben
Coop in low voice.
II do not know this place TO which
he took Hubert, but he explained to me
that 1t was lonely spot, and that in the
farden at the back of the house there
stood an old broken well. This was to
be the grave this, as far as know, is
Hubert's grave. Take help, 60 and search
there, and when you have found him, let
sAntonia kneel and weep upon him.
Though he be dead, he must feel the bless
Ding of her tears"
Ben Coop stood with his hands pressed
10 his brow and then to his throat. There
was hardness In the recital of this ira
gedy that stifed him.
@It is well for you to speak SO easily =
he said, when words would come: but oh,
man. my heart is chilled with horror
What had that poor lad ever done to you ?
He had loved you; that know, as all
the world knows 1t. We start" said Ben
sternly, as he put his hand with a grip
of iron on Gerald Tenby's shoulder, I'VE
start, you and I, this very hour to find
che body Of the lad thou hast destroyed ~
II was q strange journey back from the
Nerth the officials at the small railway
station had looked curiously at Sir Ger
mld Tenby's companion. But Gerald Ten
by seemed sunk in apathy. He moved, he
spoke as one in dream. He was only
djmly conscious of the man who sat be-
side him In the train; his thoughts were
always with Antonia.
London reached, Ben hailed cab, and
with Gerald beside him, drove out once
again in the direction of that small house.
1t was evening
1t was a long drive, yet Gerald Ten
by never spoke. He sat back in the cor
tner Of the hanson with his arms folded
iscross his breast. He had a stiff, unnat-
oral look. He was so quiet at times that
lDen hardly knew what might not hap
ben
! A little way from the gate Ben stop
ped the hanson. He got out, and Ger
aid Tenby followed him. A shiver ran
Through the man who had worked such
ruin In Hubert's life.
4 Ben bid the cabman wait, then putting
his hand on Gerald's arm, he advanced to
She little gate, unlatched it, and passed
MP that deserted path TO the door.
Before he could ring the bell or make
any sign, the door was opened hurriedly
from within and that same small wounan's
figure came into view. Once again she
uttered eagerly the name of the one crea-
ture In the world that was beloved to her.
Master George, you have come" she
said, and then she was silent, and she
drew back, for she saw that 1t was not
her master who stood before her.
Have no fear" Ben said 10 her gent
IIy; I'VE are not here to harm you. Let
Ius have q light; we must come in."
4 But Sarah stood in the passage.
! .'I was told by Master George to let
mo one in" she said; rightly or wrongly,
II have kept my word to him. / cannot
Ilet you pass" !.
"Your master is not here, poor woman"
said Ben; II fear you viii not see him
again for some time at least. We are
here and we must enter: there is some
thing in this house that must be searched
into
Then Sarah burst into tears. Covering
her face with her apron, she sank on a
chair in the hall, and Ben entered, draw
ing Gerald Tenby after him.
dry your eyes," said Ben, 'and listen.
Rightly or wrongly, as You have just
said, you have stood by your word to
your master. fear me it means a great
deal. Dry your eyes and answer. Who
Is In this house with your"
"why do you question? Why do you
come to me like this? What right have
you to come into this house?''
"We come to seek some one who was
brought here, some one who was buried
here"
.Ah!'' she said. with wall in her
voice. II knew it. I knew it; told
Master George that evil must come. Sirs.''
Sarah said. rising to her feet, II am glad
YOU have come, for now there will be an
end. perhaps, to this trouble. You say
you come to see one who was broaght
here. to seek one who was hurisl here
come with me. 7 will show yop Il 81
have come to find. did nof believe that
Master George would leave me so long
but IL there is any truth in what you
have just told me, then trouble has come
ito him, and / can fight for him no long
ler. Come with me- y
She led the way along passage to a
room on the ground floor. and the two men
followed her. Ben quivering with emotion,
and Gerald Tenby stiff, calm, and white
rs though he were no living creature.
AT the door Sarah paused, then she
threw IL open and they saw before them
Ian empty room save for something shaped