The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-08-03

many vparS There il moi one rhHnra
in n thousand Of there being any one
there. though II is a good fox ridge ~
this season From il YOU may see me
light in Melaesp's window at nighi
He did MOI stop to watch the effect
of his last words. hut began picking
his way up the ridge with the dogs
tugging at his heels. At the top be
swung sharply between two huge
masses of snow covered rock. and In
the lee of the largest Of these. almost
entirely sheltered from the drifts piled
up by easterly winds. they came sud-
denly on a small log hut.
Mon Dieu. so far | have saved my
hide" he grinned. Now. m'seur. look
for yourself and see if Jean Croisset
has not kept his word"
A dozen steps had taken him through
a screen of shrub to lii- opposite slope
of the ridge. With outstretched arm
he pointed down into he plain. and
as Howland's eyes fOi"wed its direc-
ton he stood throbbing with sudden
i<Cco IhOh q HooA aSA Va -
mile away. sheltered in a dip Of the
plain. were three or four log build
ings rising black and desolate out of
the white waste. One of these build
ings was large structure similar
to that in which Rowland had been
and sledge appeared from behind one
Of the cabins and halted close to the
wall Of the large building The driver
was plainly visible. and to Howland's
establishment be suddenly began to
ascend the side of this wall. For the
moment Rowland had not thought of
a stair.
Jeans attitude drew his eyes. The
Frenchman had thrust himself half
out Of the screening bushes and was
staring through the telescope Of his
hands. With an exclamation he turn
ed quickly to the engineer.
Look. m'seur! Do you see that man
climbing the stair? | don't mind tell
ing you that he is the one who hit you
over the head on the trail and also
one Of those who shut you up in the
coyote. Those are his quarters at the
post, and possibly he is going up to
see Meleese. If you were much of
shot you could settle score or two
from here. m'seur."
The figure had stopped. evidently on
a platform midway up the side of the
building. He stood for moment as if
scanning the plain between him and
the mountain. then disappeared. How
land had not spoken word. but ev-
cry nerve in his body tingled strangely.
"You say Meleese-is there?' he
questioned hesitatingly. "And he
who is that man. Croisset?"
Jean shrugged his shoulders and
drew himself back into the bush. turn
ing leisurely toward the old cabin.
Mon. m'seur. will not tell you
that" be protested II have brought
you to this place. have pointed out
to you the stair that leads to the room
where you will find Meleese. You may
cut me into ribbons for the ravens. but
I will tell you no morer
Again the threatening fire leaped into
Howland's eyes.
II will trouble you to put your hands
behind your back. Croisset." he COM
manded. IL am going to return q GER
tain compliment Of yours by tying
your hands with this piece of babeesh.
which you used on me. After that
"And after that. m'seur''- urged
Jean. with a touch Of the old taunt in
his voice and stopping with his back
to the engineer and his hands behind
him. after that?''
you will tell me all that I want to-
know" finished Rowland, Tightening
the thong about his wrists.
He led the way then to the cabin.
The door was closed, but opened readi-
~ as he put his weight against it. The
single room was lighted by window
through which mass Of snow had
drifted. and contained nothing more
than a rude table built against one of
the log walls. three supply boxes that
had evidently been employed as stools.
and a cracked and rust eaten sheet
iron stove that had from all appear
ances long passed into disuse. He
motioned the Frenchman to a seat at
one end of the table. Without word
he then went outside, securely toggled
the leading dog. and returning. closed
the door and seated himself at the
end of the table opposite Jean.
The light from the open window fell
full on CrOisset's dark face and shone
in a silvery streak along the top of
Howland's revolver as the muzzle of
it rested casually on line with the
others breast There was a menacing
click as the engineer drew back the
hammer
NOW, my dear Jean, we're ready to
begin the real game" he explained.
Here we are. high and dry. and down
there-just far enough away to be out
of hearing of this revolver when
shoot-are those we're going to play
against. So far I've been completely
in the dark. know of no reason why
shouldn't go down there openly ard
be welcomed and given good supper
And yet at the same time l know that
my life wouldn't be worth red copper
if l did go down. You can clear up
the whole business. and that's what
you're going TO do When | under