Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-30
CHAPTER IX-lContinuedl

shoulder close up to his neck. | "Never mind what l said. She's mine. and you've got to promise to be | straight with her. I've trusted you be- fore, and If you're not on the level now say so. It will save you lot of trouble"
 "Oh. all right-' exclaimed Runnion testify Only 1t looks mighty queer" He melted Into the darkness. and l Stark returned to his cabin. where he paced back and forth impatiently. smil- | Ing evilly now and then. consulting his | watch nt frequent intervals. black took had begun to settle on his face, put 1t vanished when Necia came. and ,e met her with smile.
 "l was afraid you had weakened" |" he said "Everything Is ready and waiting. I've got the only canoe in the place. Peterborough. and hired q good oarsman to put you through. In structing him to make as fast time ns he can and to board the first steamer that overtakes you. Too bad this freighter that just got In isn't going the other way. However. there's liable to be another any hour. and If one doesn't come along you'll find enough blankets and food in the skiif. so you needn't go ashore. You'll be there be fore you know it.
 Then he led her out into the dark ness. and they stumbled down to ihe rivers bank. descending to the gravelly waters edge. where rows of clumsy hand sawed boats and polling skiffs were chafing at their painters. The up river steamer was just clearing.
 Stark's low whistle was answered hundred yards below. and they search ed out darker blot that proved to be a mans figure.
 "ls everything ready?" he inquired. at which the shadow grunted unintei. ligibly. So. holding Necia by the arm. Stark helped her back to seat in the stern.
 This man will take you through" he said. You can trust him all right"
 The oarsrnan clambered in and ad- justed his sweeps: then Stark laid hand on the prow and showed the light boat out into the current. calling softly:
 "Goodby and good luck!"
 "Goodby. Mir. Stark. Thank you ever 30 much." the girl replied. too numb and worn out to say much or to notice or care whither she was bound or who was her boatman. She had been swept al f,,, cxz.sfttx, t., f.,s. herself any more.
 Stark did not return to his cabin. but went back instead to his saloon. where he saw PoleOn D0ret still spraw,ing with elbows on the table. his hat pulled low above his sullen face Stark then went out and down toward the bar racks. A light behind the drawn cur tains of the officers house told that Burrell was not abed. but he waited long moment after his summons before the door was opened. during which he heard the occupant moving about and another door close in the rear. When he was allowed entrance at last he found the young man alone in smoke filled room. with bottle and two empty glasses on the table.
 For at the sound of his voice Gale had whispered to Burrell. Keep him out" and the lieutenant had decided to refuse his late visitor admittance when he lighted on the expedipnt of conceallng the trader in the bedroom at the rear. IL was only natural. he reasoned that Gale should dislike to face Il man like Stark before he had regained his composure.
 "GO in there and walt till sec what he wants." he had said. and. shutting the old man In. he had gone forth to admit Stark Stark entered and closed the door.
 live got some work for you. iieuten- ant. It's got to be done tonight. right now! You represent the law. or at least you've taken every occasion to SO declare yourself. so now I've come to you with something big. It's serious affair. and, being as I'm peaceful man. want to go by the law" His eyes mOcked the words he uttered You seem to carry the weight of this
  whole community on your shoulders. so I'm here to give you some informa- tion"
 Burrell said quietly: Its little late for polite conversation. Come to the point"
 I've got q murderer for you"
 You've had killing In your place. chg"
 No: I've just made discovery. fourd 1t all out by accident. too--pure accident By heaven. you can't tell me there isn't beneficent Providence overlooking our ncsairs. He's frieud of yours and highly respected party. He's a glorious example to this whole river. He's everybody's friend. He's the shining mark of this whole coun. try. He's the benevolent renegade. Squaw Man Gale. Gaylord Is his name. and ] was fool not to know 1t sooner."
 The disclosure had not affected the soldier as Stark expected. and his nn- ger began to lift itself.
 ''The mans murderer. He's want ed in California. where 1 came from.