The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-04-14
The Mo|dyke Gold Mystery
By JOHN r. MUslck.
Author of "Mystsrious Mr. Howard" 1.-THE
Dark Stranger "Charlis Aliendals's
Double." Etc.
Copyright, 1897, BY Ron snr Boxxzz's soxs.
All rights reserved.
CHAPTER iIl.-(continued.)

afore we let him go. Let's not so an
act like hull passed. O fools as don't
know what we're a-doin' nohow Save
him an we'll git Crack Lash's dust
back an we'll hang all four together;
you all know that's much better'n
hangin' one at time"
The life OF the captive was spared
for the time being, and the miners
proceeded at once to organize them
selves into a vigilance committee, pre-
paratory to stopping crime at the very
beginning in their new settlement.
Lying on low couch in one OF the
shanties was the hero Of this stroy.
known on the klondilie as Crack Lash
Paul. His wounds were severe, and
he was in a feverish condition. One
of the miners who had some knowl-
edge of medicine and surgery had eX-
tracted the ball and dressed the
wounds. The name of the doctor will
perhaps never be known. In the Klon-
dixie he was only called "Sawbones."
The patients face was flushed and
his eyes closed. His quick breathing
and nervous movements indicated that
he suffered mentally as we'll as physic-
ally.
BE quiet" whispered "Sawbones"
in the ear of his patient. Here. take
this He raised the head Of the
wounded youth and gave him spoon
full of nerve-quieting medicine. He
drank it Off. and then lay back on his
bed and slept. The doctor arose from
the low stool at the side OF the couch
and went out.
He quickly turned his gaze toward
every projecting branch within range
of his vision. A look Of disappointment
came over his face as his eyes search
ed in vain for some object
What have you done with him?"
he asked Of miner who was going
by.
''Nothin'.' was the answer.
What, hain't you hung him yeto"
mo-
"Why?"
"Glum Ralston said not"
"Adl . TIE matter Win Gltlm :.
Has he got bats in his belfry?" roared
the Infatuated doctor.
Hold on, Sawbones; don't get off
your trolley until sometimes on the
track. tell ye G4um's all right" He
then proceeded to explain matters to
the irate doctor. assuring him that he
would yet have the satisfaction of see
ing the robber lifted high enough to
get bird 's-eye view of the new Jerll-
salem. but explained that in order to
get the others they must keep the
powers of speech in the one they had.
well, with that explanation l cave
in" groWled Sawbones. But | don't
want any feelin O sentimentaity
roaming around this camp. We don't
come of forgivn' stock. we don't"
The patient slept tor several hours,
and when he awoke as evening began
to draw near he was much improved.
But he recovered slowly. and 90 did
the prisoner. The latter's wound. how
ever. was more severe than Paui's,
and for time his case seemed doubt
full. The doctor impressed with the
hope that some information would be
obtained from the wounded man, used
his skill to the utmost to bring about
speedy recovery
When Paul was able to walk about
he insisted on going to his shanty to
Investigate it. though he was SO weak
he had to sit down on sluice box to
rest before he approached the door.
When he had rested sufficiently he
arose and, unlocking the door, entered
the shanty. He searched the room
carefully for some clue that might
have been dropped by one of the at
lacking party after they entered the
room, but for long time found
none.
At last he discovered in a narrow
crack between the logs and thinking
what seemed to ne a bit of DaDer
wadded up and thrust into the hole.
He went to it, pulled it out. and it
proved to be an envelope stained with
blood.
The envelope was stuck in the crack
near the corner where the wounded
outlaw had fallen and Paul at once
surmised he put it there He took
the paper out of the envelope and
gazed at the handwriting in amaze
ment. 1t ran as follows:
San Francisco, Sept. ], 1895.
Enclosed find transportation and
money sufficient to pay your way to
juneau Whatever you do. remember
that Paul Miller is not to return to
Fresno. Do him no harm if YOU can
accomplish your ends without VIC
]ence, but at all hazards keep him
two years longer in the Klondike.
IL. r."
He read the mysterious paper again.
He turned it over and looked on the
back. Who was IL. T." and why
should he wish to keep him in Alaska?
There seemed to be something slight
ly familiar about the chirography, but
he was not certain. Having clue to
the mystery, he sat down to study the
puzzle.
The more he read the note the more
he was puzzled and the farther he