The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-08-31

II you don't I'll blow your head or"
you may shoot. m'seur." Jean salt
quietly. II have sworn on cross OF
the Virgin to tell you no more than
have"
Slowly Rowland raised his revolver
Once more, Croisset-will you tell
mef"
"Non m'seur"
A deafening explosion filed the little
cabin. From the lobe of Jeans ear
there ran n red trickle of blood. His
face had gone deathly pale. But even
as the bullet had stung him within an
inch of his brain he had not fllnched.
"Will you tell me, Croisset?"
This time the black pit of the engi-
neers revolver centered squarely be-
tween the Frenchman's eyes.
mon, m'seur"
The eyes of the two men met over
the blue steel. With a cry Rowland
slowly lowered his weapon
Good God, but you're a brave man,
Jean Croisset" he cried I'D sooner
XIII a dozen men that l know than
you"
He rose to his feet and went to the
door. There was still but little snow
In the air To the north the horizon
was growing black with the early APP
| prOach of the northern light. With
nervous laugh he returned to Jean.
deuce take it if l don't feel like
! apolOgizing to you" he exclaimed.
Does your ear hurt?"
mo more than if | had scratched it
with thorn" returned Jean politely.
you are good with the pistol. mseur"
81 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 Mt the other. But
that's pretty good intimation 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 Il moment before. There Is only
one way | can see, m'seur, and that is
to wait and watch from this mountain
top until Meleese 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 / doubt If
she will find pleasure in her dogs for
long time"
81 had planned to use you." said
Rowland. but I've lost faith in you.
Honestly, Croisset, believe you would |
stick me in the back almost as quickly
as those murderers down there"
mot 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 want TO kill you
But would be fool to trust you.
Isn't that SOP"
mot If | gave you my word. That
Is something we do not break up here
as you do down among the Wekusko
people, and farther south"
DuI yOu ihNluSl ptOplc lOl pdSllLle
-eh, my dear jean"
Crossiet shrugged his shoulders with
)ut speaking.
"See here, Croisset," said Rowland
with sudden earnestness, I'm almost
empted TO take n chance with you.
Will you go down to the post tonight.
N some way gain access to Meleese
md give her a message from me?'
And the message-what would Ii
,e?"
1T would bring Meleese up to this I
{
Are you sure, m'seur?" /
81 am certain that it would. VIII /
ou go?" I
"NOn, m'seur"
"The devil take you!" cried How
md angrily. IF l was not certain
hat l would need you later I'd gar
Dte you where you Sit e
He rose and went to the old stove. C
was still capable of holding fire. r
nd as it had grown too dark outside Z
or the smoke to be. observed from the a
ost he proceeded to prepare a supper
hot coffee and meat Jean watched
i'm In silence, and not until food and
rink were on the table did the engi-
eer himself break silence. b.
"Of course I'm not going to feed m
)u," he said CURLY, 80 I'll have to al
ee your hands. But be careful" 81
He placed his revolver on the table :,
side him after he had freed Crois-
[. ei
81 might assassinate you with a w
rk," chuckled the Frenchman softly, IN
$ black eyes laughing over his cot
e cup. II drink your health, m'seur,
I'd wish you happiness"
you liei" snapped Rowland. III
lean lowered the cup without drink s,
z. II,
ITS the truth, m'seur," he insisted. on
inCe that beautiful fight back there
cannot help but wish you happiness.
drink also to the happiness of Me
'se, also to the happiness of those
10 tried to kill you on the trail and
the coyote. But. mon Dieu, how is he
all to come? Those ut the post are ac
ppy because they believe that you an
; dead. You will not be happy until n,
~ arc Ipo1 nd Malaaca how '