The Grit-advocate., 1903-04-10
osDyr1sht, 1877. by Ronnar BoHHErs sosA
AL rieh8 rasarvsA
CHAPTER xvl.-(Continued

set up quarters by n big black stump
half a mile away from her
Curse such luck! l wish the men
had stayed"
why? Who are you afraid off,
Il don't know who he is. only he
calls himself the Old Man of the
Mountains
Where is he?"
IN her tent"
Where did he come from"
Looks as il he had slid down the
peak of some iceberg. Go and take
u squint at him
Cummns, though coward when
there was q woman in the case. had
little fears of men. Creeping stealth
lily up to the tent he peepcd in and
beheld tho "Old Man Of the Noun
tains." seated on camp stool before
the fair Laura. his rifle between his
knees, while she was telling him her
story
lymph! It's old St Nick, or an
escaped Selkirk. Looks as if he
bristled with weapons. and don't
is right, for a glimpse O. that face
and the arsenal he carries is enough
to give "A polar bear the ager'
Notwithstanding the unprepossess-
ing appearance of the man from the
mounta.-s. he pressed his ear close
to the tent to listen to the conversa-
tion between the two.
why did you come to Alaska. my
poor child9"
Il came to frd the man love. My
Paul, who was lost"
Laura told the old man her story
and at the conclusion said:
He tells me Paul is dead. do
not believe him. He has deceived me
on more than one occasion. and he
will do so again if it serves his pur-
pose. My heart tells me Paul lives"
My child, that silent monitor is
never wrong. Your Paul lives. He is
not far away, but he. you and are in
great peril. We must act with caution
and secrecy or we will all be dead
before morning. These men are des-
perate criminals. Will you trust me?"
Yes. with my life."
Pretend as if you had heard moth
ing, but be ready to act as | direct"
DO you know where Paul is?''
Yes, but he is under strong
guard. Is there no one with the
train you can trust? No Indian or
Esquimo?"
Il do not understand them nor
they me; but have my trusty SER
want. Ben Holton."
Where is he?"
He was sent to-day b see II the
pass could be opened"
The pass has not been closed" ="
said the hermit. My dear daughter,
sending him off was only an excuse to
get your friends out Of the way: but
all is we'll Heaven is on your side
and directed me here"
"Humph! Well see about that"
growled Cummins. rising from his
knees. They kin put their trust in
what they like. but II the boss will
let me have my way. I'll put mine in
about ten inches Of cold STEEL"
He hurried to Lakeland, who was
sitting on a sled. his face expressing
the deepest anxiety. In as few words
ms possible he narrated the interview
between the mysterious old man and
Laura. Lakeland made several eff
forts to speak before he finally sue
ceeded, then. in voice strangely un.
natural. he said:
1T has come at last. hoped I
would be spared bloodshed. but there
is no help for it Since it must come,
let 1t come. We will do our worst. If
the old man and Paul Miller are in our
way. let them die!"
We'll, there will be little time
to act"
Il know it"
Lakeland, who still shrank from the
thought of committing murder him
self. began to plan TO have his myrmi-
dons do all the work. and agreed very
readily to have reinforcements.
Il think it would be we'll for YOU to
start back and get two of the men, t.
he said. Cant you do it in few
hours?"
by tomorrow noon. Let us leave
the valley and start down the trail
They had to cross the river to reach
the trail, but by this time the Yukon
was frozen over. SO they crossed on
the ice.
They had scarce got over when they
saw three forms coming along the
trail.
There they are now" said Lack
land.
The three forms could be seen COM
ing hurriedly up the path and. when
they drew nearer. the form of the old
man could be seen coming along be-
hind.
''Holton. come here" said Lakeland.
AS the old man advanced toward him.
the Indians were ordered across the
river on the ice.
What dye want. Mr.. l.ackland?"