Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-11-28

w ILltli(u- l CC IOtIIlO nDu D1J E
saddle. Their greeting was in conse-
quence not %uncivil, though the major
blandly ignored the coarse, ringed
! hand obtruded by the other.
"You heard of the outrage the other
night at Castle Sullivan" began MIR.
Nat.
"By bushrangersg" observed Major
Honeybone.
"By ~bushrangers. Only one of them
escaped, and there he Isl" roared Nat,
pointing savagely at Tom.
"ReallyT' remarked the major, will
fully unmoved. Dear me! 1t was
from you he came here-like half my
gang-for ~absconding, l u~nderstood?"
"We didn't know it then"
'That he was one of the bushrau-
gers?"
Yes"
"But you know it now7'
"We do So"
Dear me!' again remarked the
major, whose expression was rendered
inscrutable by the rich shade of the
gigantic umbrella without which he
rarely ventured abroad. His small,
shrewd eyes glanced from the visitor
to Tom, who was still looking down
and fidgeting with his pick, the speak
Ing image of sullen guilt. More repul-
sive to the major was the gloating ruff
fan in the saddle. but he signed to the
sentry to take away Toms pick and
then favored the other with a slow,
contemplative stare.
"a very singular thing, I'm sure" be
resumed, with a sarcastic information
that punctured even Mats thick skull.
every singular indeed. Upon my word,
Mr.. Sullivan" exclaimed the major, 81
find it difficult to believe what you
say" Vs..
"Sir!w
Cor, if you like, to understand it."
"lf you will allow me to say the rest
and to say it e~lsewhere'-
"No, sir! Here!" cried Major Honey
bone. Here OF nowhere, which you
please. This man absconds one night,
80 / gather, and the next night you
are attacked by b~ushrangers. This
man is found the morning after that,
and l understand you suggest he was
one of the band that attacked you.
let you never recognized him at the
time. Come, now, did none of you?"
"Not then, but he threatened my sis
ter and q female whom we have since
returned, and Miss Sullivan remembers
hearing him call the female by her
name. Now, this man and that wom-
an kept company snarled Nat in n
perfect flame of rage and spite, land
Miss Sullivan will swear he called the
woman by her name. He fell in with
the thieves when he %absconded, it's
perfectly clear. He was the very MAJ
to join them in al attack Oh his own
masters wen if he didn't instigate it.
Join in it he did. 1 can prove it.
Though not one Of the original gang is
left alive, I can prove
"What about that italian fellow?"
interrupted the major, and Tom held
his breath.
"He wasn't in it. l believe he's
dead, and they put this Erichsen in his
clothes. HIS horse was found a few
miles beyond where they found this
man, and now his coat has been dis
covered with Erichsen's knife In the
pocket. Yes, you may wincew cried
this good hater. "You shall swing for
it yet"
"Kindly conine your remarks to me,'
said the major sternly. you'll have
to prove the knife was his, and that
won't prove everything. Never heard
such a story in my life! You'll have to
strengthen it up a bit If you mean to
make a case. What do you want me
to do?"
Nothing at ALL" said Nat ungra-
ciously.
"Then why the deuce do you come to
mel"
Il didn't. I was on my way to your
s%uperiors."
Major Honeybone turned to the sen
try.
FRO m oorrrxu.a. ..@..