Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-04-05

'That is right he answered cheer
fully. You will find an excellent sofa
here, though it is soft IN the springs"
And the two retired, leaving me to
the night and my Nv angry thoughts.
l was punctually called and punctu-
ally served the ext morning by Hood
himself, who, whatever his faults, was
u .apital servant. He said nothing be-
yoaa making the customary inquiries
of a landlord. and ii | had been in any
ether mood than that of desperate cha
grin the irony of that Tea or coffee,
sir" would have ticklcd my sense of
the ludicrous. But l was not disposed
to talk. and so l vas equally silent with
him, Nor WIS my Qnictudc broken I'M
til some two hours later, when Ser
Comhc entered.
Lock here, Mr.. GrratorcX." said be
quickly. IF were not careful. this lit
tie enterprise of ours will be taken
clean out of our hands"
II thought" l observed. THAT the
game was over" wondering all the
time what he was meaning.
Yes, and no." said he, but there's
many Il slip 'twiXt the cup and the lip,
and you don't know what has been
happening while you've been here"
In other WORDS l answered. my
friends may not have been caught as
easily as myself, although you will
note that l still have that key"
l fancied that he WINGED, but he went
on hastily. THAT is 50, and besides, in
any case, you are bound by Your COM
pact of silence"
IF you will tell me what YOU are
driving at began.
See here, sir" he broke in. There's
been q deal Of talk in the countryside,
and, what with that mutton faced fool
Jones' suspicious, the authorities have
begun to smell a rat"
Il am very sorry for you," said I
dryly. Il understood that he had not
q high opinion of you"
His opinion be hanged" he retort-
ed; but 1 won't have any interference
nor, l take it, will YOU"
mo; l prefer my prison, naturally"
l declared.
what l want to tell you is this" he
resumed, paying no heed to my sar-
casm. at seems that Jones and the
other meddler have got wind Of your
disappearance. The police have been
securing the Gwent, and what must
the beast do but cast his suspicious
eyes ON me-"
He dropped his voice. ''They are
outside now, and Hood is parleying
with them. They've got that silly ass
Of a parson with them, who is by way
of being my friend. He's taken to me
nightly because I had a brother or a
cousin at Rugby, and nothing must
serve them but that they must make
Investigations in the inn"
l shrugged my shoulders. Upon my
word, l don't see what l can do for
you,' I said.
"1es, you do he replied sharply. 81
have told the sergeant that you are
here right enough. but are staying
with me as my guest. He swears he
must see you and find out for himself.
And the parsoa, amiably embarrassed,
vows l am being insultel. However.
there you are"
Very weil,' said | slowly: "let them
in
Sercombe &crutiniZcd rae kcpniy. as
though he would reHl my soul, and
then, apparently satisfied, left the
room.
In another moment Il knock sounded
at the door, and Hood, hinging it open,
said, "Gentlemen to see you, sir"
The little parson entered, followed
by the sergeant who had called at the
castle. l looked up from my books and
rose instantly.
"How do you do, vicar!' l said, Of
fering him a hand. Good day, SER
geant."
The policeman was taken aback and
stared at me sheepishly, but the par
son turned to him triumphantly.
II told you SO, JONES' he declared.
Il ain not in the habit Of doubling Cap
tain Sercombe's word"
"Gcatlcmcn," l said, feigning as
tocishment. may I ask what is this?'
ooh, it's an absurd piece of business
from the start" said the vicar emDhat-