St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-08
CH A PTER HI

The night was a perfect one for such
sport Not the fainteSt breath of wind
disturbed the surface of the water, and
only few twinkling stars were seen
over head.
You must paddle" said the girl
turning to Robert. but don't make any
noise. Don't shake the canoe or make
any movement, for the slightest sound
can be heard under water"
The detective started.
The tones were of the pureSt English.
She had dropped the romantic Indian
talk. He watched her closely. Quickly
and noiselessly she ign;ted the bark.
1t burned brilliantly without the slight
est sound. Looking into the water he
could see every object on the bottom
distinctly, though he and his fair COM
panion were completely shaded by the
reflector behind the burning bark.
The scene was wild, weird, pictur-
esque. Beyond the line of the light was
naught but inky darkness. The trees
on the shore, but family revealed, stood
out like CHASTITY specters, and the mass
OF brush and willow seemed like some
delicate lace or drapery. No hand,
however marvellous in skill, could paint
that scene as it appeared to Robert
then. To him, however, it seemed not
half so lovely as the form of the girl
standing upright i'll the boat, her right
arm holding the spear aloft, ready to
send it on its mission when the proper
time should come. His eyes forgot the
charms of nature and become riyeted
upon the finely poised figure of the girl,
and twas plain her charms had surely
won his heart.
A flash of her eyes. and sudden incli-
nation of her head, caused him to return
ff,n In ND of tn hn
of the boat. A long, dark, motionless
object was seen Oh the sand beneath.
The girl Strengthened up, and the spear
swiftly descended. The next instant it
was raised, a flash of brilliant scales,
and large handsome, struggling pike
was landed in the boat, while she turned
to him a glance of triumph and he
smiled back his appreciation. There
must have been something more than
simple look, for she blushed deeply,
then turned her head away.
Thus the sport continued for some
time, and she finally gave way to IA
tigue. Placing fresh bundle of bark
at the head, she ignitad it, then sat
down facing her companion. Both
faces are plainly revealed. He awaited
for her to speak and neither tried to
propel the boat.
"DO you know why | brought you
hereT' she abruptly asked.
Il must confess my Ignorance" he re-
piled. 81 have been wondering why
ever since we started"
"Well, it was because l wished to talk
to you"
he answered, drily.
mo sarcasm, please, it is not polite.
Besides, that answer savors somewhat
OF conceit."
81 beg your pardon then," said the
detective with an amused laugh. ''But
why did you not talk to me on shore?'
Stupid. Can't you see there is no
danger of being overheard out here?'
''But why this secrecy?"
''Simply this. If we are seen in con-
versati0n, will be removed where you
cannot find me. Now, when | return,
have an excellent boat load of fish. If
my absence is detected, the fish will eX-
plain it. l often come out here at
night"
"Well. what did you wish to talk to
! me about?" asked Robert.
81 want to know why you came to this
wild place?"
ITO hunt and trap"
"You are telling me lie," she said.
calmly but decidedly, while he stared at
her in blank surprise and allowed his
paddle TO slip unnoticed into the water.
"IIow do you know?"
''For the reason that have followed