Putnam patriot., 1911-11-03

De welcomed aud given a good sumner And yet at the same time know that my life wouldn't be worth a red copper II did go down. You can clear up tne whole business. and that's what foare going to do. When l under Vand why l am scheduled to be mur tered on sight won't be handicapped IS now am So go ahead and spiel. 1T you don't I'll blow your head of" l ou may shoot. m'seur," Jean said l quietly. Il have sworn on cross of inc Virgin to tell you no more than I lave"
 I Slowly Rowland raised his revolver.
 Once more, Croisset-will you tell mel"
 Mon. mseur."
 A deafening explosion filled the little cabin. From the lobe of Jeans ear there ran red trickle of blood His face had gone deathly pale But even Rs the bullet had stung him within an Inch of his braiu he had not ainehed.
 Will you tell me. Croisset?-'
 This time the black pit of the engi- neers revolver centered squarely be- tween the Frenchmans eyes.
 Non. m'seHr."
 l The eyes of the two men met over the blue steel With a cry Rowland slowly lowered his weapon
 Good God. but you're d brave man. lean Croissetr' he cried I'd sooner | kill a dozen men that I 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 ap- | proach of the northern light. With a | nervous laugh he returned to Jean. | "Deuce take it if l don't feel like | apologizing to you" he exclaimed l Does your ear hurtF
 | No more than If had scratched it | with a thorn" returned Jean politely. "You are good with the pistol. n seur. - | .'I would not profit by killing you | himself again on the box and resting l his chin in the palm of his hand as he I looked across at the other. But | that's a pretty good intimation that l I'm desperate and mean business. l Croisset. We won't quarrel about the | things I've asked you. What I'm here 1 for is to see Meleese. Now. how Is | that to happenF
 | "For the life of me I don't know, | replied Jean as calmly as though a bullet had not nipped the edge of his l ear a moment before. There is only l one way can see. m'seur. and that IS | 10 wait and watch from this mountain top until Meleese drives out her dogs l She has her own team and in ordinary l seasons frequently goes out alone ot 1 with one of the women it the post 1 Mon Dieu. she has had enough of l sledge riding of late. and doubt Il she will find pleasure in her dogs for l long time"
 -l had planned to use you. said | Rowland. but I've lost faith in you Honestly. Croisset, l believe you would | stick me in the back almost Gs quickly as those murderers down there.
 Not in the back mseur." smiled the Frenchman. unmoved. T have had opportunities to do that. Non l since that fight back there l do moi believe that want to kill you. | "But would be fool to trust you | Isn't that sof'
 "Not if I gave you my word Thai is something we do not. break up here os YOU do down among the Nekuske people. and farther south.
 But you murder people for pastih' -eh. my dear Jean?"
 Cross let shrugged his shoulders with out speaking. -,.u.
 ..see here. Croisset." said Howlant ,rifb sudden earDestness. I'm aimos l tarnnted to take chance with you l win you go down 10 the post tonight in some way gain access to Melees' 1 and give her a message from me-
 sAnd the message-what would be- .
 Tt would bring Meleese up to tn' l cabin-tonight
 Are you sure, m'seurF .,
 q am certain that it would VII you go?"
 aThe devil take you. cried How land angri,y. If l was not eeF'ail ~ tbat I would need you later I'd gar rots vou where you sit.
 He rose and went to the old stove r. was still capable of holding hre end as it had grown too dark ouls',i' , for the smoke to be observed from 'n' nost he proceeded to prepare sui'lV. af bot coffee and meat. Jean watehes Si,, in silence. and not until food Il. drink were on the table did the eng neer himself break silence xo,
 ..of course I'm not going to iee'
 o,," he said curtly. "so HI nave sraa ronr hands. But be careful
 uo nlaeed his revolver on the tanl' haside him after he had freed Cro's
 .1 might assassinate you with ..t, r cbuckled the Frenchman soiti! lie black eyes laughing over ms ooi fae cup. II drink your heaith' III seu' | and wish you happiness
 " ayou Ier' snapped Howland.
 Jean lowered the cup without ui i' ing -. ha insisted .S,nce that beautiful fight back ther
 cannot help but wish you happiness dr,nE also to the happiness or N' ,oasa also to the happiness or ,hos | who tried to kill you on the me .'a.a ha~ at inc coyote. But. mon Dleu, a, nD" i, all to come? Those at the p"s' so n, napf, a dead You will not be happy uhl m ,hev are dead. And Meieese-Ho'