Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-02-13

oASA AIuSA W L
don't know the writing. Where did
you find 'em?" ,
"They were lying in the lane at the
back, a little way down. Plainly they
are the pieces of a note addressed to
some one called Sammy or something
very like it. See the first piece, with
its 'mmy? That Is clearly from the be-
ginning of the note, because there is no
line between it and the smooth, straight
edge of the paper above; also, nothing
follows on the same line. Some one
writes to Crockett-presuming it to be
a letter addressed to him, as 1 do for
other reasons-as Sammy. 1t is a pity
that there is no more of the letter to
be found than these pieces. 1 expect
the person who tore it up put the rest
in his pocket and dropped these by ac-
cident."
Kentish, who had been picking up
and examining each piece in turn, now
dolorously broke out:
ooh, it's plain he's sold us-bolted
and done us. Me as took him out O.
the gutter too! Look here-'throw them
over That's plain enough. Can't
mean anything else. Means throw me
over and my friends-me after what
I've done for him! Then right away
go right away, l s'pose, as be has done.
Then"-he was iddling with the scraps
and finally fitted two together-"why,
look here! This one with lane on it
fits over the n about throwing over
and it says poor f. where it's torn.
That means poor FOOL 1 s'pose-me-
or 'fathead' Or something like that.
That's nice! Why, I'd twist his neck
If I could get hold of him, and 1 will"
Hewitt smiled. Perhaps it's not
quite so uncomplimentary, after ALL"
he said. eff you can't recognize the
writing, never mind. But if he's gone
away to sell you it isn't much use find
ing him, is it? He won't win if he
doesn't want to-"
"Why, he wouldn't dare to rope I'M
der my very eyes. Td-I'd"-
"Well, we'll, perhaps We'll get him to
run, after all, and as we'll as he can.
One thing is certain-he left this place
Of his own will. Further, 1 think he is
in Padfield now. He went toward the
town, 1 believe. And l don't think he
lean to sell YOU"
"Well, he shouldn't. I've made it
worth his while to stick to me. I've
put a fifty on for him out of my own
pocket and told him so, and if he won
that would bring him a lump more
than he'd probably get by going crook
ed, besides the prize money and any
thing I might give him over. But it
seems to me he's putting me in the cart
altogether"
"That we shall see. Meantime don't
mention anything I've told you to any
one, not even steggles. By the bye,
Steggles is indoors, isn't he? Very
we'll, keep him in. Don't let him be
seen hunting about this evening. I'll
stay here tonight, and Well proceed
with Crockett's business in the morn
ing. And now We'll settle my bust
ness, please"
In the morning Hewitt took his
breakfast in the snuggery, carefully
listening to any conversation that
might take place at the bar. Soon
after 8 o'clock a fast dogcart stopped
outside, and a red faced, loud voiced
man staggered in, greeting Kentish
with boisterous cordially. He had Il
drink with the landlord and said:
"How's things? Fancy any Of 'em for
the sprint handicap? Got a lad O. your
own in, haven't YOU?
ooh, yes" Kentish replied; "Crockett.
Only a young I'm not got to his proper
mark yet, I reckon. I think old Tay-
lor's got No. 1 this time"
Capital lad" the other replied, with
a confidential nod. Shouldn't wonder
at all. Want to do anything yourself
over it,"
"No, 1 don't think so. I'm not on at
present. Might have a little futter
on the grounds just for fun; nothing
else"
There were a few more casual re-
marks, and her the red faced man
drove away.
had watched the visitor through the
snuggery window.
"That's Dandy, bookmaker. Cute
chap. He's been told Crockett's miss
ing, I'll bet anything, and come here
to pump me. No good, though. AS a
matter Of fact, I've worked Sammy
Crockett into his books for about half
I'm in for altogether-through third
parties, Of course"
Hewitt reached for his hat. I'm go.
ing out for half an hour now he said.
IF Steggles wants to go out before /
come back, don't let him. Let him go
and smooth over all those tracks O n
the cinder path very carefully. And,
by the bye, could you manage to have
your son about the place today in case
I happen to want a little help out of
doorsT
Certainly; I'll get him to stay in.
But what do you want the cinders
smoothed for?"
Hewitt smiled and patted his hosts
shoulder. "Tll explain all my little
tricks when the jobs DONE" he said,
and went out.
On the lane from Padfeld to Sedby
village stood the Plough beer house,
wherein j. Webb was licensed to sell