Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-07-21
ID 81. =
The
y ;SHfES 88bVEe
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER w.
nlluaIImnIlnHAIRA
How1ANp's MIDNIGHT VISITOR.


panion q little to one side. His eyes
shifted nervously and Rowland saw
that he was making strong effort to
assume an indifference which was not
at all Gregson's natural self.
"Just a word. Rowland" he said.
''You know this is pretty rough coun-
try up here-some tough people in 1t.
who wouldn't mind cutting mans
throat or sending bullet through him
for good team Of dogs and rife.
I'm Just telling you this so you'll be
on your guard. Have Jackpine watch
your camp nights"
He spoke in a low voice and cut him
self short when the Indian approached.
Rowland seated himself In the middle
Of the six foot toboggan. waved bis
hand to Gregson. then with wild
halloo and a swapping Of bis long carl
bou gut whip Jackpine started his dogs
on a trot down the street. running
close beside the sledge.
Rowland was tired when night came.
He helped to build their balsam shell
ter for the night, ate huge supper Of
moose meat. hot stone biscuits. beans
and coffee. and then. just as be had
stretched himself out in his flrs for
the night. he remembered Gregson's
He sat up and called to Jack
pine. who was putting fresh log on
the big Ere in front of the shelter.
"Gregson told me to be sure and
have the camp guarded at night. Jack
pine. What do you think about it7'
"Gregson- YER much 'fraid."
he replied. mo bad man here-all
down there and in camp. We KEEP
watch evr' night. Heem 'fraid-I guess
90. mebby."
afraid Of whatT'
Jackpine held out his left hand. with
the little finger doubled out Of sight.
and pointed to 1t with his other hand.
''Mebby heem finger ax'dent-mebby
not" he said.
A dozen eager questions brought no
further suggestions from Jackpine. In
fact. no sooner had the words fallen
from the drivers lips than Rowland
saw that the Indian was sorry he had
spoken then. What he had said
strengthened the conviction which was
slowly growing within him. He had
wondered at Gregson's strange de-
meanor. his evident anxiety to get out
Of the country. and lastly at his desire
not to return to the camp on the We
kusko with him. There was but one
solution that came to him. In some way
which he could not fathom Gregson was
associated with the mystery which en-
veloped him. and adding the senior
engineers nervousness to the signia-
canoe Of Jackpine's words he was con-
fident that the missing finger had be-
come q factor in the enigma. How
should he ind Thorne? Surely he
would give him an explanation-if
there was any explanation to give. Or
was 1t possible that they would leave
him without warning to face a stu
alton which was driving them back to
He went to sleep. giving no further
thought to the guarding Of the camp.
A piping hot breakfast was ready
when Jackpine awakened him. and
once more the exhilarating excitement
Of their swift race through the forests
him Of the uncomfortable
tension under which be began
to nnd himself. During the whole of
the day Jackpine urged the dogs al
most to the limit Of their endurance
and early In the afternoon assured his
that they would reach the
Wekusko by nightfall. It was already
dark when they came out of the forest
into a broad stretch of cutting. beyond
which Rowland caught the glimmer Of
scattered lights. At the farther edge
Of the clearing the Cree brought his
dogs to halt close to large log
built cabin half sheltered among the
trees. It was situated several hun
bred yards from the nearest Of the
lights ahead. and the unbroken snow
about It showed that It had not been
used as habitation for some time.
Jackpine drew a key from bis pocket
md without word unlocked and
swung open the heavy door.
Damp. cold air swept into the faces
Of the two as they stood for moment
peering into the gloom. Rowland
could hear the Cree chuckling in his
way as he struck match.
and as big hanging oil lamp Jared
slowly into light he turned a grinning
face to the engineer.
"Gregson nm Thorne-heem max
thees cabin when first kan to camp,
hc said softly. mo be near much
noise-f1ne place in woods where be
auiet nights. Live here time. then
Gregson UNI Thorne so live in camp.
Say too far way from man. But that
not 20. Thorne 'fraid: Gregson fraid."
He hunched his shoulders again as
he opened the door of the big box
stove which stood In the room.
Rowland asked no questions. but
stared about him. Everywhere he saw
evidences Of the taste and one time
lenancies Of the two senior engineers.
"Afraid. eh? And am I to stay hereT
"Gregson um Thorne say yes"
well. Jackpine. you Just hustle over
10 the camp and tell Thorne I'm here.
will your
For a moment the Indian hesitated.
then went out and closed the door