, 1911-08-31

nm Dooh.
fumes of his pipe impregnated the
damp air of the room he experienced
n sensation of comfort which was in
strange contrast to the exciting hap
penings of the past few days.
He laughed aloud and began pacing
back and forth across the rOtted floor
of his prison. And then a tiush burned
in his face and his eyes glowed as
he thought of Meleese. In spite of
himself she had saved him from his
enemies. and he blessed Croisset for
having old him the meaning of this
flight II the north. Once again she
had betrayed him, but this time 1t was
to save his life. and his heart leaped in
joyous faith at this proof of her love
for him He believed that he under.
stood the whole scheme now. Even
his enemies would think him dead.
They would leave the Wekusko. and
after u time. when 1t was safe for him
to return. he would be given his free.
dom.
With the passing Of the hours gloom
Ter thoughts Swallowed these anticipa.
lions. In some mysterious way Me
leese was closely associated with those
who sought his life. and II they disap.
peared she would disappear with
them. He IA convinced of that.
And ~then-could he find her again7
Would she 20 into the south-to civil
nzarlon-or deeper Into the untraveled
wildernesses Of the north? In answer
10 hig M Inn fhara AaShaa fhrnr-h
his mind the words of Jean Croisset,
"M'seur, | know of a hundred men
between Athabasca and the bay who
would kill you for what you have
said" Yes. she would go into the
north. Somewhere In that vast desc
lation of which Jean had spoken he
would find her, ever though he spent
half of his life in the search!
1t vas past midnight when he spread
out the furs and undressed for bed.
With the breaking of day the hours
seemed of interminable length. For a
time he amused himself by searching
every corner and crevice Of his prison
room, but he found nothing of interest
beyond what he had already discov-
cred. He examined the door which
CroIsset had barred on him and gave
up all hope OF escape in that direction.
He could barely thrust his arm
through the aperture that opened out
on the plague stricken cabin.
In no situation had he displayed the
white feather: at no time had he felt
a thrill OF fear. His courage and reck.
lessness had terrified Meleese, had as
fnpt,bA1 rr,fssnf I'D ,at r,bot haI
he done? From the beginning. from
the moment he first placed his foot in
the Chinese cafe. his enemies had held
the whiphnnd. He had been COM
PEELED to play n passive part. Up to
the point of the ambush on the We
tusko trail he might have found some
v~indication for himself. But this ex-
perience with Jean Croisset-it was
enough to madden him, now that he
was alone. to think about 1t. Why
had he not taken advantage Of Jean,
Us ~Jackpine and the Frenchman had
taken advantage of him?
He saw now what he might have
lone. Somewhere. not very far back. the
sledge CARRYING Meleese and Jackpine
had turned into the unknown. They
two were alone. Why had he not made
Croisset a prisoner. instead of allowing
himself to he Gagged up like a weak
ling? He swore aloud as there da wned
on him more and more a realization
Of the opportunity he had lost. At the
point of n gun he could have forced
Croisset TO overtake the other sledRe.
He could have SURPRISED Jackpine. as
ITO be Continued)