The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-02-18
CHAPTER XVI.
John Gales Hour.

arouse the girl, thought Burrell, as
he left the barracks, but he must
allay these fears that were besetting
him. he must see Nicola nj once.
A few moments later he stood above
the sluaw, who crcuched on the trader s
doorstep, waI,ing her death song into
the night. lie could not check her; she
pald no heed to him, but only rocked
and moaned and chan;ed that strange
'eird song which somehow gave
strength to his fears
whats wrong. whore !s NecIn?
Where is she?" .e demanded. and 4.
last seized her roughly, facing her to
the light, bu. AI!una only blInked owl
ishly at his lantern ana shook her head.
Gone away" she finally informed
him.
He gave up trying to think, and fled
for stark's saloon. reasoning that where
one was the other must be neas aal
there would surely be some word Q.
Nicola. He burst through tie door, d
quick glance over the place showed Il
empty Of those he sought. but, spy!.s
Poleon Dore,, he dragged i'm outside
inqurns orea;hiessly:
"Havo you seen GaIe?'
NO
Have you seen Stark? Has he been
about?"
Yes, wan hour, mebbe two hour ago.
wy? Wat for you ask"
10, ri,
have come together, and Nec!a Is gone
"Necin gomez" the Canadian jerked
out.
We've got to find her and Gale, and
we haven't a minute to lose. I'm afraid
we're too late as IT. Is. | wish It was
daylight. Curse the darkness. anyhow!
1t makes Il ten times harder"
But were is Necio?"
I'VE don't know; maybe Stark has
got her"
The Frenchman cursed horribly
Have YOU try hees cabane?'
Nc"
without answer the Frenchmaa
darted away, and the lieutenant spec
after him through the deserted rows
Of Lighthouses.
"Ha Dere's light" snarled Doret.
over his shoulder, as they neared their
goal.
BE careful" painted Burrell. Walt!
Don't knock lie forced poleon 10
pause. Lets find out who's inside.
Remember. we're working blind"
He gripped his companions arm with
fingers OF STEEL and together they crept
up TO the door. but even before they
It was Stark's. The walls OF the house
were OF moss-chinked logs that dead
ened every sound, but the door itself
was OF thin. whip sawed pine boards
with ample cracks at top and bottom.
and, tho room being OF small dimen-
sions, they heard plainly.
The Lieutenant leaned forward. then
with difficulty smothered an eSclama-
ton, for he heard another voice now
the voice OF John Gale. The words
came to him muffled but distinct, and
he raised his hand to knock. when. sud-
denly arrested, he seized Poleon and
forced him to his knees, Kissing into his
ear;
Listen. Listen. For Gods sake. lis
tent"
For the first time In his tempestuous
life Ben Stark lost tho iron composure
that had made his name a byword In
tho West, and at sight OF his b!tterest
enemy seated in the dark Of his own
house waiting for him he became an
ordinary. nervous, frightened man
: faced by a great peril. 1t was the utter
unexpectedness OF the thing that shook
him, and before he could regain his bal
ance Gale spoke:
II come to settle. Bennett"
"What are you doing here" the
rambler stammered.
II was up at the soldiers place Just
now and heard you. l didn't want any
interruptions. so I came here where we
can be alone" He paused, and, when
Stark made no answer, continued,
"Wel, let's get at It," But still the
other made no move, you've had all
The hest OF It for twenty years" Gale
.,.nt on. in his level voice. but to-
r,.,t get even. I've lived for this
"That shot in Lees cabin?" recalled