The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-04-21

him over, and want to know how he
came to let Angel get at us"
1 Old George had always been problem
| to the Borough Lot" He held the
| position Of trust that many commended
no demented old man should hold. was
1t safe or sane to trust him with the
plate that had been so laboriously ac-
| quired from Roebury House, and the
| Jewels of Lady Ivy Task Hender, for
the purloining of which one Hog
| Stander was at that very moment do
ing seven stretch? Was 1t wise to in
stall him as custodian Of the empty
house at Blackwell, through which An
/ gel Esquire gained admittance to the
meeting place of the Borough Lot?"
Some there were who said Yes" and
these included the powerful faction
| that numbered bat" Sands, Curt"
| Goyle, and Conner amongst them.
They contended that suspicion would
| never rest on this half-witted old gen.
| tleman, with his stuffed birds, his gold
| fish, Gagged rabbits and mice, a view
that was supported by the fact that
| Lady Ivy's priceless diamonds lay con-
| cealed for months In the false bottom
of hutch devoted to guinea pigs In
| old Georges strange nlenagerte, what
time the police were turning London
inside out in their quest for the prop
erty.
But now old George was under a
cloud. Notwithstanding the fact that
he had been found amongst his live
stock securely bound to a chain with q
handkerchief over his mouth, suspicion
attached to him. How had Angel
worked away In the upper room with
out old Georges knowledge?
Angel might have easily explained.
Indeed, Angel might have relieved their
minds to very large extent In regard
to old George, for In marking down the
haunt Of the Borough Lot" he had
been entirely deceived as to the part
played by the old man who acted as
'caretaker'' to the empty" house.
In a fourwheeled cab old George,
smiling foolishly and passing his hand
from time to time over his tremulous
mouth, listened to the admonitions Of
Mr. Bat Sands.
"Connor wants to know all about IT,"
said Bat menacingly; "and IL you have
been playing tricks, old man, the LORD
help YOU"
"The Lord help me-" smiled old
George complacently.
He ran his dirty fingers through his
few scanty white locks, and the smile
died out Of his face, and his loose
mouth dropped pathetically.
"Mr. Sands" he said, then stopped;
then he repeated the name to himself
dozen times; then he rubbed his
head again.
Bat, leaning forward to catch what
might be a confession, sank back again
In his seat and swore softly.
In the house Of ~. Jones, Builder and
Contractor" were gathered in strength
the men who composed the Borough
Lot"
Suppose he gave us away" asked
Goyle, what shall we do with him?"
rThara was LITTLE doubt IN fha fao1-
ing Of the meeting. A low animal
growl, startling in it's ferocity, ran
through the gathering.
IF he's given us away"-it was Vim
mis- with his dull fishlike eyes turned
upon Conner who was talking-"why,
we must out him."
You're talking like fool" said
Connor contemptuously. IF he has
given US away, you may rest assured
that he Is no sooner In this house than
the whole place will be surrounded by
police. If Angel knows old George is
one of US, he'll be watched day and
night, and the cab that brings him will
be followed by another bringing Angel.
No, I'll stake my life on the old man.
But I want to know how Mr.. Cursed
Angel got into the house next door,"
They had not long TO wait, for Bats
knock came almost as Conner finished
speaking.
Half led, half dragged into the room,
old George stood, fumbling his hat in
his hand, smiling helplessly at the dark
faces that met his. He muttered some
thing under his breath.
What's that?" asked Connor sharp
At said, a gentleman" began old
George, then lapsed into silence.
What gentleman" asked Conner
roughly.
II am speaking Of myself" said the
old man, and there came into his face
curious expression Of dignity. II say,
and I maintain, that a gentleman is q
gentleman whatever company he at
fects. At my old college I once reprov-
ed an undergraduates" He was speak
tinctness II said, There is an axiom
to which would refer you, De gustibus
non es disputandum, and-and-'"
His shaking fingers went up again to
the telltale mouth, and the vacant
smile came back
Look here" said Connor, shaking his
arm, 1--WE don't want to know anything
to know how Angel got into our crib"
The old man looked puzzled.
Yes, yes" he muttered; "of course,
Mr. Connor, you have been most kind
the crib-ah!-the young man who
wanted to rent or hire the room up
stairs"
yes, yes" said Common eagerly.
"A most admirable young man." old
George rambled on. hut very inQuisi-
tive. / remember once, when I was adj
dressing a large congregation Of young
men at Cheltenham-or 1t may have
been young ladies-I-"
Curse the mani" cried Goyle In q
fury make him answer, or stop his
mouth"
Conner warned him back.
CONTINUED Next Weekly