The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-07-25

as now AZ. 80 go aneuo auu spIeI
II you don't I'll blow your head on"
you may shoot. m'seur." Jean said
'uierly II have sworn on a cross OF
the Virgin to tell you no more than
bave.''
Slowly Rowland raised his revolver.
"Once more. Croisset-wilI you tell
meT''
Non, m'seur."
deafening explosion filed the little
cabin. From the lobe OF jeans ear
there rnn n red trickIe of blood. His
face had gone deathIy pale But even
as the bullet had stunE him within an
inch of his brain be cGd NOT ainched-
"W-tll you tell me, Croisset?'
This time the black pit of the enEt
neer's revolver conferred squarely be
tween the Frenchman's eyes.
mon. m'seur."
The eyes of the two men met over
the blue steel. With n cry Rowland
slowly lowered his weapon.
Good God. but you're brave man.
Jean Crolsset!" he cried. I'D sooner
kill dozen men that 1 know than
you
He rose to his feet and went to the
in the air To the north the horizon
was growing black with the early ap-
proach of the northern light. With a
nervous laugh he returned to jean
Deuce take it If 1 don't feel like
apologizinG to you" he exclaimed.
docs your ear hurr?''
mo more than II had scratched 1t
with a thorn returned Jean politely.
''You are good with the pistol. m'seur."
II would not profit by killing you
Just now unused Rowland. seating
himself again on the box and resting
his chin in the palm. of his hand as he
looked across at the other. But
that's a pretty good 1ntimation that
I'm desperate and mean business.
Croisset We WON'T quarrel about the
things I've asked you. What I'm here
for is to see Meleese. Now. how is
that to happen?"
For the life Of me don't know"
replied Jean as calmly as though a
bullet had not nipped the edge Of his
ear a moment before. There is only
one way / can see. m'seur. and that is
to wait and watch from this mountain
top until MeIeese drives out her dogs
She has her own team and in ordinary
seasons frequently goes out alone or
with one of the women at the post.
Mon Dieu. she has had enough of
sledge riding OF late, and I doubt If
she will find pleasure in her dogs for
long time"
II had planned to use you" said
Rowland. but I've lost faith in you
Honestly. Croisset 1 believe you would
stick me in the back almost as quickly
as those murderers down there"
Not in the back, m'seur," smiled
the Frenchman. unmOved. 81 have
had opportunities to do that. Non.
since that fight back there do not
believe that l want to kill you.'
But 1 would be fool to trust you.
Isn't that soY'
Not If l gave you my word. That
is something we do not break up here
as you do down among the Wekusko
people, and farther SOUTH
But you murder people for pastime
-eh. my dear Jean"
Crossiet shrugged his shoulders with
ont speaking.
"See here. Croisset." said Howland
with sudden earnestness. I'm almost
tempted to take a chance with you.
VIII you so down to the post tonight,
in some way gain access to Meleese
and give her a message from me?"
And the message-what would It /
be2"
"It would bring MeIeese up to this
cabn--tonight-"
Are you sure. mseur?"
81 am certain that it would. VIII
you go?"
mon. m'seur."
"The devil take you'll" cried How
land anEriIy. eff / was not certain
that 1 would need you later I'd gar
rote you where you sIt.''
He rose and went to the old stove. |
It was still capable OF holding IRE. |
and as It had grown too dark outside /
for the smoke to be observed from the
post he proceeded to prepare supper /
Of hot coffee and meat. Jean watched
him in silence, and not until food and
drink were on the table did the engt-
1eer himself break silence.
''of course I'm not going 60 feed
vou." he said CURLY, $50 III have to
free your hands. But be careful"
He placed his revolver on the table
beside him after he had freed Crois-
yet.
81 n1ighs aasassinate you with