Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-15

nOrScS Qank. luc NAN"A
one to the other in some bcwildermcnt.
as well he might. for we had disposed
Of Il curious incident somewhat caVa-
lierly,
II am pleased to have made your ac-
ouain1ancc. Mr.. GreatoreX," said he.
'"An1 7 trus, we shall soc more of each
other"
In nv heart l hoped not, but gave
him the proper rejoindcr, and, taking
off his hat. he moved away. Sercoinpe
and | were left upon the roadway con-
fronting each other.
And now. sir" said l quietly, will
YOU lie good enough to tell me what
this means. and why YOU shoot at
hares With hullets"'
Let me walk with you 4 little way,
responded the captain, shoulueflhg HIS
gun, Suiting his action to the invita-
ton, he marched beside me. 1T IS
very plain, Mr.. GreatoreS,' said he
pleasantly. 1T means that you must
have Il lesson. but | need not assure
you that | bear no i'll will to you. On
the contrary, l have taken a great
taste for YOU. But it is obvious to you
that sentiment has no place in a mere
matter of business
II is not an uncommon practice with
me to carry Il pistol. and certainly, If
it had never entered my head before, l
think that the strange fortunes OF the
last week would have persuaded me to
the precaution. AS it was, the evolv-
er lay to my hand in my coat pocket,
and l took my course forthwith. Whip
ping round the horse. I drew and pre-
sented the weapon at his heart.
You will do me the favor, Captain
Sercombe," said l sharply, Ito hand
over your cartridges"
An indefinite expression Of surprise
passed over his face. He was evident
ly taken aback. and his high color
strengthened. "Oh. come, my dear
sir" said he. 81 ask you to consider II
1t be worth while. For my OWL part,
I have no desire to fire in your back,
nor dare 1 if I had. You see, I am
plain with you"
He certainly was, and I saw at onac
that l need fear no more for the pres.
ent-at least from the captain.
Very WE'LL said l.
Il am glad you agree with me-" he
remarked. 1t is a saving of dignity"
l said nc more, but whipped up the
horse and left him, With 4 hooking
bow, which he returned gravely, and
the last l saw Of him was his bulky
form leaning upon the gun and assid-
uously following me with his dull and
tishy eyes.
l put up the horse at the Swan and
hurried to the station, barely in time
to catch the London train. l took my
ticket hastily and, rushing down the
platform, Gas about me precipitately
Tor a nrst class carriage. The guard
had retired to the back part of the
train and stood impatiently, flag in
hand. came upon two compartments
OF the class l wished and gave a hur-
ried glance into each.%he one D e
ed empty. but the other already con
talneu W. or three travellers. This
latter, however. was labeled ''Smok-
ing, and fo: i secoli Of TWO l WAIVER
ed IN the balance until q sharp Now,
then, SIR" from tie guard finally whip
ped up my decision. l opened the door
Of the smoking carriage. but us | did
so a man lGdei.y stumbled against me,
and l fell against the next coIlpurt-
ment, the door OF which had Just been
opened by 4 third person. In tie furry
nf rho ,rono1a>,r I ,n.nl ,,,.-.l.. -
ting back my clutch upon the handle,
and the neNt instant | was in the
smoking carriage, somewhat hot and
angry. Out Of the window by which |
sat saw in the tail of my eye the two
men stepping swiftly into the next
troubled my senses.
l settled into the cushions as the
train drew out of the station and look
cd about at my companions. Then my
mind returned to the landscape, which
was now passing pretty swiftly. 1t
struck ne in a fash what was exer.
clsing my mind. y sQuint-that was
It. Mrs. Main had described the in.
truder OF the morning as a man with
d "slu!nt-funny-like." And the MAI
who had got into the ne1t carriage
was i man with a squirt. The coinci-
dence was only remarkable because I
was in L veritable net of suspicion.
And when I examined the particulars
It was his companion who had iostled
mel might, 10 be thoroughly suspi-
ciouS, say showed me. Why had I
been showed: Perhaps it was an acct
dent, and the two men had no relation
TO each ether. nor the second man with
the sQu!nt to Mrs. Mains friend. But.
on the other hand, that shove came
near sending me through the open
doorway OF the mex carriage. and but
Tor my " oostinacy l might now be
seated in the seclusion of that car
rage with my two neighbors In an ex-
press that did not stop for forty miles.
Al Paddington l took Il cab. | could
SEE the man with the Squint nowhere,
and looked for him pretty sharply.
HIS companions face l had 0 seen.
anu should not, Of course. recognize
again 1t wns quite possible that they
!laC! been passengers to an Intermediate