The Red Cloud chief., 1889-04-12
CHAPTER XIX
UNDER A SPILL

light vehicle.
Il have been duped IN the worst kind OF
way" he muttered through close-shut
teeth. Mother CABRERA lied to M when she
pointed out that grave In the cellar and as
sured me that there lay the mortal remains
Of my enemy, Lura Joyce. That glrL, sharper
than . detective, il determined TO be my
ruin. How did she escape deathi ] can only
answer that the ugly twins have entered the
league against me- 1t was all q plot 70 bring
destruction upon me-, but It viii not work
Worst Of all, Karl Vandible lives. lean not
understand that Wonders will never cease
in this world, and all OF the fates seem Just
now to combine against me-, but / will defy
the fstes and win his game, else go down
with colOrs At the mast"
Mounting the seat the Captain drove
swiftly away.
IL was late at night when he reached
StOncfield-t0o late TO consult with his law
yer-sO he put up at q little public house, re-
solved TO rest until thedswn Of another day.
He was early astir. Almost the frst per-
son he encountered in the hotel Office after
breakfast was LOUIS Fingal, the handsome
young hunter. The Captain was not exactly
certain AS TO the status Of Fingal-on tho
whole he set the youth down as no. his
friend at least, although he might not be in
active league with his enemies.
~ AM glad to see you, Captain"
Fingal held out his hand.
''Indeed. We seem to meet At unexpected
times and places" returned Starbright,
accepting the friendly prefer.
ayes. You came from Lone Hollow late
last nightf"
''The hour was not early, that's q fact"
ibid you meet Mss Joyce"
"SIrr"
Captain Starbright glanced keenly into
the face Of the youth before him.
II asked il you met Miss Joyce. She 10
. friend Of mine, and ~ she set out 70 visit
her cousin Grace I thought you might have
met her. The roads seem dangerous To
travel these days, and I tried 10 dissusde
the giri from going, but she insisted on il"
''Indeed. You astOund me. sir"
Allow Is that's"
Il supposed you were aware OF the fact
that Miss Joyce disappeared mysteriously
some weeks since, and 10 Was supposed that
she met with An accident"
Il heard about It," answered Fingal.
coolly, Offering his cigar case 70 the Captain,
who selected . fragrant roll and proceeded
TO light it.
Then you will q Understand how absurd il
seems to mo when you speak Of seeing said
young lady," said the Captain, as he sat
down e the window and proceeded 10
pun great clouds Of perfumed smoke up
ward.
Fingal cast keen glance about tho room,
returned his clgar-case TO his pocket with
out taking one himself, and leaning on The
Captains shoulder, peered down into his
dark face, aud with Q half smile stirring his
lips, said:
II suppose you do think It absurd, my
dear Captain, yet it is, nevertheless, true
that l did see Lura Joyce. and that she did
60 70 Lone Hollow last night. It seems that
an attempt was made upon her life by o
couple of low rufians, aud that il failed,
thanks to the interference Of an unexpected
friend. ] haven't learned the full particu-
lars yet. but 1 expect TO when l see the
young lady again"
"You surprise me-" uttered Starbright.
~ Nm glad. however, TO know ma the girl
escaped. Why did she remain away %
lOngr
''Of course you are glad. You and Miss
SVSNS "Os W. hoVu tAu
Was there q sarcastic ring in the voice
Of the young hunter Captain Starbright
imagined so, and the small dark face seemed
70 TAX on . mocking smile. The Captain
fidgcted in his seat, yet, somehow, seemed
riveted TO the chair.
He attempted 70 rise, but Fingal's hand
pressed gently yet firmly against his shoul-
der, and in . low voCe he said:
mo. no. my dear Captain. keep your scat.
I Am becoming interested rs well ~ your
self"
And the Captain remained.
He seemed subject to . strong spell, and
faces md objects began TO float md BE-
come indistinct. Even h voice Of Fingal
was but an indist,nct murmur.
And still the Captain pulled 1t his cigar.
and permitted . gentle lauguor to steal over
his scnscs.
The girl was miraculously saved" pro-
ceeded Fingal. and she has returned to
make It interesting for the villain who en-
ployeda couple Of rufians 70 murder her.
Ii was the desperate work OF IN assassin
throwing OF tho detective that was hot on
his track. A g1ri dctectivei That sounds
odd. yet ! do believe that LurA Joyce il
nothing less. and that she will not cease
her efforts until u prince Of villains is u
70 earth"
Captain Starbright. although hearing but
in~dtstinctiy, yet felt . vibration OF fear IT
his heart. INT the smiling, dark face Of
Louis Fingal seemed like . black Nemesis
frowning upon hun.
VIVA, WAS il that bound his limbs a.
though in . wise. and held him on the
rack 0rhtlsS hOtny tnrtnpN1l H. >aal..~I
now that Engal was his foe and he strived
mcShes.
Vain effort
although two tramps seixed and hurled
the girl over q prScipice, she wa not killed.
She lives, and you will yet meet her. il you
have not already. since her resurrection
from supposed death at the bottom Of
HsnGman's Gulch."
why do you thus address mel" attic
ulated the Captain with no little diniculty.
hat has the fate Of this simple girl TO do
with met
"Dc you say it has nothingi"
The hooking smile still fingered ON the
face Of Louis Fingal.
"Of course. that is the fact"
but in that case who paid those two
rufaans for their work."
II do not know"
"CsptAin Clinton StarbriEht. you do KNOW
asserted Fingal. with ringing emphasis.
You would gladly give your RICH, hand .
be assured that Lura Joyce WAS dead"
"Where dad you learn so mucnr,
"From observation. You attempted %
take Lnra Joyce's life last night but was
frightened from your work"
Captain S'arbriSht shook the hand Of
EinGal from his shoulder ana ATTEMPTED 70
gain his feet For the life OF him he could
not An invisible hand held him down. AID
seemed 70 bind h very ~throbhanSs Of hin
heart