The Calumet news., 1911-12-04
THE LAST
MAN.
A Story Of British Co
lumbia.
By CLARSSA MACKlE.
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciatlon, 1911.

He HlduuSeT Ol tue bTedl MlucS Oul-
fitting company of Victoria, British
Columbia, frowned as the door ofshLs
private office was pushed softly open
and the chief clerk deferentially
placed a card on his desk.
WOolson scanned the card thought
fully, his frown growing blacker and
deep lines settling about his mouth.
At last he flung back his head and
shook his broad shoulders as II pre-
pairing himself for contest. His face
became an urbane mask as he turned
to the waiting clerk.
''Send him in," he said briefly.
Again the door opened and closed,
and a short, stout man approached
the managers desk.
"NIr. Arthur St Claire Woolson?"
he asked suavely.
'My name is Wooson," replied the
manager curtly. The sound of his
several appellations savored too
strongly of that hateful period when
they had bazed i'm black type across
the front pages of English newspa-
pers. Now he glanced down at the
card before him and added: You are
Inspector Duffy of Scotland Yard. Sit
down, sir, and tell me what l can do
for you"
The inspector sat down and pulled
out a large notebook from an inner
pocket and consulted it nearsightedly.
"In the matter of Laurence Kim
ball." he snapped out suddenly. His
bulldog voice did not accord with his
feline appearance. The contrast was
startling.
Woolson stiffened in his chair 81
thought that matter was settled when
Kimball was convicted and impris-
oned," he said indifferently.
Inspector Duffy consulted his book
again. Laurence Kimball served one
year of his sentence and then escaped
from Dartmoor prison on June 3 last
L have traced him across the Atlantic,
through Canada and British Column
bia to Victoria"
"You have caught him them There
was almost sneer in Woolson's voice.
The other Redeemed to the roots Of
his pale hair, and his catty smile wild
ened His voice growled the deeper
when he replied;
81 lost the trail. l know he arrived
In Victoria July % because he was
recognized. Since then he has dropped
out of sight"
"I will instruct our superintendent to
aid you in every way. Here is a card
which will admit you to every depart
ment of our company"
The inspector hesitated and shot a
furtive glance at the face of the man.
ager. "Of course his majestys war
rant opens all doors to my knock, but
| always choose the other way when
It is possible"
"That is very considerate Of you,
| inspector" said Woolson ironically.
''DO you know of any reason why
should be unwilling for you to seek
your escaped-man?' he challenged.
Escaped convict" corrected Duffy,
with square look into Woolson's
stern eyes. 81 can think of no reason
except that he was your friend-and
pardon me, sir, your testimony was
given reluctantly. | hope you won't
take offense, but I've got to have your
best help, whether you are willing or
not. Besides accomplishing the ends
Of Justice, there's big reward out for
Kimball's capture, and / want it," He
smiled greedily.
"a reward large enough to lure you
to the uttermost end of the earth, l
fancy" observed Woolson carelessly.
A rueful look overspread the ruddy
face Of the Inspector. Hardly that"
he responded. "The Yukon Is the
limit so far as I'm concerned. My
times worth something at home"
Woolson touched bell. "Mr. Jane
son will be at your service, inspector,
and If you decide TO go to the Yukon
one of our steamers will sail at to-
morrow morning. Here is a pass that
will take you up the coast to your
destination, whatever it may be-"
After the detective and jameson had
left the room the manager turned to
the window and stared out at the
wharf. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes
he stood there. motionless. Then he
put on his hat and went out
The long stream of coolies wavered
back and forth across the gangplank.
The tallyman yelled Justify until Wool
sons drawing accents cut him short.
"Hodgson, you may discharge the
man on the end of the line. He's a
clumsy beggar. Send him to the pay
master tonight"
| Whenever the long line struggled to
its final end the last man, tall and
gaunt, ragged cloth tied about his
head and half concealing yellow
countcnance. would pause to stretch
his lean and shrunken arms bare to
the shoulder. He walked with stoop
from the waist, and the burdens that
he bore seemed all too heavy for the
wavering gait with which he followed
his companions
Always he was the last man to
reach the gangplank with his burden
for the steamers hold, and, returning.
he was the last q leave the vessel.
The tallyman swore at him In various
languages, and his mates grinned