The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-02-17
CHAPTER XIV.
A Knot frightened.

q outside Runnion was saying again
10 a tark:
sac won't 60 with me- Ben; she
don't like me. You see, l made love
10 her. and she got mad and wanted
me kill, ID"
She'll never know who you are un-
All it's to late to turn back" said tho
Sthsr, "al d you are the only man l
can rus. 70 take her through l can
crust you-Avou owe me too much to be
crooked"
"Oh, All rleht!' exclaimed Runnion.
Asstily. Only It looks mighty queer"
He melted into the darkness and Stark
Seturped to his cabin where he paced
back and forth impateaty. smiling evil
" now and then. consulting his watch
n treouerIt Intervals. A black look had
begun to settle on his face, but It van
thed when Necia came, and he met her
with smile.
" was afraid you had weakened" he
said. Everything Is ready and waiting.
I've got the only canoe In the place,
Peterborough, and hired good oars
man to put you through, mstructing MIN
10 make as fast time aS he can, and to
hoard the first steamer that overtakes
you. Too bad this frashter that Just
got in isn't going the CHER way How
ever. there's liable TO be another any
bour. and II one doesn't come along
you'll find enough blankets and food In
the skiff. so YOU needn't go ashore.
You'll be there before you know 1t.
you are very kind" said the girl. Il
can't thank you enough
"You didn't run into anybody. chr
She shook her head.
starks low whistle was answered .
hundred yards below, and they searched
out a darker blot that proved to be
mans figure
as everything ready7" he inquired, At
which the shadow grunted unintel-
tightly So, holding Nicola by ths arm.
Stark helped her back to oeat IN the
stern.
This man will take you through no
said You can trust him all right
"Good-by, Mr.. Stark. Thank you ever
80 much" the girl replied, too numb
and worn out to say much. or TO notice
or care whittier she was bound or who
was her boatnan.
stark did not return to his cabin. but
went back instead to his saloon, where
he saw Poleon Doret stll sprawlins
with elbows on tho tabS~ his nav
pulled low above his sullen facs. The
owner of the place passed behind The
bar and poured himself q full glass OF
,vhiskey, which he tossed oil. thsn
without look TO right or left. went ou'
and down toward tho barTacia. A Light
behind the drawn curtains OF thu
officers house told that his man va,
mot abed. but he waited long momsn
after his summons before the door VA
opened, during which he heard the 90
oupant moving about and another dool
Iclose In the rear. When he WAS al
lowed entrance at last be found thu
young man alone IN q smokeSflled room
with q bottle and two empty glasses OF
the table.
For at tho sound Of his voice Gal
had whispered to Burrell, Keep hin
lout!" and the Lieutenant had decided
ito refuse his late visitor adm!ttanc
when he lighted on the expedient o
,concealing the trader In the bedroom
tat the rear. It was only natural h
reasoned, that Gale should dislike 4
face man like Stark before he hA,
iregained his composure.
Go In there and wait TIL see wha
he wants. he had said. and. shutt.n
the old man In. he had gone forth TO ad
init Stark, resentng his ir-timed IN
trusion and inquirins brusQuely tn
cause OF II.
Before answering, Stark entered an
closed the door Seh!nd him.
I've got some work for you. Lieu
tenant"
II guess It can wait TIL morning,
said Meade.
I've got a criminal for you"
you've had a killing in your plac,
en-"
NO; I've Just made discovery.
found II all out by accident, too-p'r
accident. BY heaven! You can't te
me there isn't benifcent Providenr
overlooking our affairs. Why this telo
has lived here among US all this tim,
and only FOR the merest chance I neve
would have recognized him"
"Who Is the mdn7''
Hes everyoody's friend. He's II
shining mark 81 this whole countr,
He's the benevolent renegade, squav
man Gale"
John Gaie?"
Gaylord IS his name, and wa,
fool not 10 know It sooner"
"How did you discover this"
That's neither here nor there; II
mans murderer; he's wanted In Ca
itornIa, where came from. he's bee
indicted. and there's a price on \
head Hes hidden FOR fifteen year
but he'll hang az sure as ! stand here
"F!ttcen years? Murder John Gale
murderer? Why. that's alomsi-- Pa
don me II sm.le-Im getting sleep
What proof have you''
Proof" Stark was growing 10
much proof DO you need I've !3i.ovt
him for fitteen years I've tracked %
with men and dogs through woods a.
deserts and mining camps. I've s,e'
on his trail for five thousand miles. an
now do you think I'm mistaken Il
killed my wife. | say, and robbed rae
my little girl That's her In ms hous
That's her be calA Nec.A She's n