Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-12-05
PAGE SEVEN

Il take 1t that even you, Sir, Ae U-
quainted with the name Of the Wk1tar
Of the missive in my hand. I am tie
bearer, Major H~oneybone," with In
mense pomposity, "of a letter from
my friend, his excellency Sir Genze
Gipps, the governor of this colOny."
"Never met him." returned the mn
jor. with a twinkling eye. 1T is NY
first acquaintance ever with his hand
writing" Indeed, his eNcelIency had
been not many weeks installed. but 1t
was years since the major had heard
tones so rich and periods so round as
those of his eXcellency's friend, whom
he thereupon escorted with hospitality
to his house.
Now in this poor hut, opposite that
stockade full of felons and in that des-
ert place. the major kept a few dozens
of admirable wine and some boxes of
excellent cigars. Two of these were
alight. and the gentlemen had clinked
glasses and taken a sip before Major
Honeybone would permit himself to
open his eXcellency's letter. Hardly
had he done so when he regretted both
wine and cigars. He looked UP sud
denly and in wrath, which. however,
was somewhat disarmed by the eager
light he thus surprised in the visitors
strong and dusly face.
"NThat on earth do you want him
for? | call this q most monstrpus re
quest" said Major H~oneybone, and
the last sentence was meant to have
come first until Daintree's look fnvert-
ed them.
"Re9uest?' said Daintree, raising his
eyebrows slightly.
Eyes, sir, request!" cried the major.
"Command. sir, is a thing I don't take
from a gentleman I've never had the
honor of setting eyes ON. and this is
n that Sir Richard Bourke, sir, would
soonc have died than give"
Daintree pnrsed up his eyes. As it
was only by patient exercise Of two
characteristic qualities that he had got
the letter at all, so he now saw that
he must trust to those two qualities to
overcome this other masterful man.
He must be diplomatic, he must have
patience, he must pick his way where
he could not force it, and it was very
clear that there would be no forcing
this Major uoneybone.
The letter authorized and begged
the major to deliver and hand over
Thomas Erichsen, Seahorse, then un-
dcrgoing sentence in the majors iron
gang, to the bearer, who particularly
wished to have him for his assigned
bodyservant and undertook to make
htp,co1f 1Inponfocr,o,J ,oc-o,:Iy, r.~
the said convict's good behavior. II
was an irregular letter. No reason was
given for granting such a favor at all.
1t did say. however. that Mr.. Daintree
would give his reasons, and with the
letter in both hands. as though On the
point of tearing it up, he major leaned
back in his chair and regarded the 9th
er With a prolonged n curious stare.
"NNhat are your reasons?" he asked
at length.
"He is an innocent man, replied
Daintree impressively.
"a convicted murderer, I under
stand"
wrongly convicted. I followed his
case. Did you:"
NO. sill" said the major. They
give me quite enough work out here"
"\Tell. I did follow it," the visitor
went on. "Between ourselves, Major
Honeyhone, l did a great deal more
than that. The case interested me from
the first. I knew something abont this
poor lad. That knowledge, together
with the circumstances of the
convinced me at the time that he was
al innocent man.
He isn't one now" remarked Majpr
Honeybone.
"1-1 am not a pauper, sir" proceed
ed Daintree. With embarrassment. y
don't want this to go any farther; but,
you see. I knew something about the
boy, and, in short. l found the money
for his Defense"
THE dickens you did," exclaimed the
major. '"Then you were a friend OF
his?'
81 am his friend, sir, though he has
eve seen me-"
at was a noble thing to do-'pan my
soul it was!" observed the major. very
much impressed. "Quite ~quixotic, pom
my soul"
This open ADMIRATION hit Daintree in
his weakest spot. He leaned forwnrd
and quoted the Irresistible figures in a
sudden blaze of self satisfaction.
"Lor'!' said the major. You don't
say so? Gadzooks!''
"Wlaen do a thing at ALL" remark
ed Daintree, with perfect truth, II do
it with all my heart. Either that or /
leave it alone. SO l need hardly tell
you I didn't stop short at Sergeant
Culliford. No, sir, I went to Lord
John Russell himself. 1t would be an
affectation We're to conceal my i'm
preston that his lordship's final de-
cision was not unin1uenced by what I
said"
Major Honeybone was too used to
lies not to know the truth when he
Glanced to hear 1t. He filled up both
glasses and sucked t%houghtfully at his
cigar. Daintree watched him with ah