Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-02
30 M,r+:.
;: ;, Ms.i,n 5
50 50 Investigator.
CONTINUED

AAA' A1oiiaLAo acquaintance at Lnat time.
AS we approached the house a great
uproar was heard from the lower part
giving on to the area, and suddenly q
man, hatless and with a sleeve of his
coat nearly torn away, burst through
the door and up the area steps, pur-
sued by two others. 1 had barely time
to observe that n of the pursuers
carried a revolver and that both hest
tated and retired on seeing that several
people were about the street, when
Hewitt, gripping my arm and exclaim-
ing, 'That's our mani" started at a
run after the fugitive.
We turned the next corner and saw
the man thirty yards before us, walk
ing and pulling up his sleeve at the
shoulder, SO as to conceal the rent.
"That's Sim Wilks," Hewitt explain
ed as we followed. Don't stare after
him In case he looks round. Presently
when we get into the buster streets I
shall have a little chat with him."
But for some time the man kept to
the back streets. In time, however, he
emerged into the Buckingham Palace
AOoNiy oAo VIZ saw Alll SUD ZULU look
at a hat shop. But after a general look
e the window and a glance in at the
door he went on.
Good sign" observed Hewitt. "Got
no money with him. Makes it easier
for u.s."
In a little while Wilks approached a
small crowd gathered about a woman
f111or IJoy-;{+ 4o,,ohol ,~-,
a few quick steps took us past our man
and to the opposite side Of the crowd.
When Wilks emerged, he met us COM
ing in the opposite direction.
what, Sim" burst out Hewitt, with
apparent delight. 81 haven't piped
your mug for a stretch. 1 thought
you'd been jagged. Where's your
dicer?"
Wilks looked astonished and suspi-
cious. 81 don't know you," he said.
you've made a mistake"
Hewitt laughed. "I'm glad you don't
know me-" he said. eff you don't, Pm
pretty sure the peelers won't. l think
I've faxed my mug pretty we'll and my
buds too. Look here. I'll stand you
a new deer"
Wilks was still suspicious. 81 don't
know what you mean," he said. Then,
after a pause. he added, "Who are you,
then?"
Hewitt winked and screwed his face
genially aside. "Hooky! he said.
'I've had a lucky touch, and I'm Mr..
Smith till I've melted the pieces. You
come and damp it."
"I'm off," Wilks replied. "Unless
you're pal enough to lend me a quid,"
he added, laughing.
81 am that" responded Hewitt,
plunging his hand in his pocket. "I'm
flush, my boy, flush, and I've been
wetting it pretty we'll today. 1 feel
pretty jolly now, and 1 shouldn't won
der if I went home loaded. Only a
quid? Have two, if you want 'em-or
three"
Hewitt had of a sudden assumed the
whole appearance, manner and bear
ing of a slightly elevated rowdy. Now
he pulled his hand from his pocket and
extended it, full of silver, with five or
six sovereigns interspersed, toward
Wilks.
"Tl have three quid," Wilks said
with decision, taking the money, "but
Pm blowed If I remember you. Who's
your pal?"
Hewitt jerked his head in my direc-
ton, winked, and said in a low voice:
"He's all right. Having a rest. Can't
stand Manchester" and winked again.
We lurched into a public house and
drank a little very bad whisky and wa
ter. Wilks still regarded us c%uriously,
and 1 could see him again and again
glancing doubtfully in Hewitt's face,
but the loan of f3 had largely reassur-
ed him. Presently Hewitt said:
"How about our old pal down in
Gold street? Do anything with him
now? Seen him lately?'
Wilks looked up at the ceiling and
shook bis head.
Hewitt looked cautiously over his
shoulder, leaned toward Wilks, and
said: Look here-this is the straight
tip. ! know this-I got it from the
very bloke that's given the show away
by 6 o'clock 8 Gold street will be
turned inside out, like an old glove,
and every n in the place will be-
He finished the sentence by crossing
his wrists like a handcuffed man.
whats more" he went on, "they
know all about what's gone on there
lately, and everybody that's been in or
out for the last two moons will be
wanted particular and will be found,
I'm told"
Wilks looked in Hewitt's face and
asked, us that straight"
"Is it?' replied Hewitt with empha-
sis. "You go and have a look, If you
amt afraid Of being shrugged yourself.
Only 1 sha'n't go near No. 8 just yet
I know that"
Wilks idgeted, finished his drink and
expressed his intention of going. every
well, If you won't have another re-
piled Hewitt. But he had gone.
"Good!" said Hewitt, moving toward
the door. "He has suddenly developed
a hurry. / shall keep him in sight but