The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1911-10-27

tallyman, but 1t snapped shut rs he
observed the roly poly form Ut In.
spector Duffy coming down the wharf.
The detective cast Il sleepy glance
over the men ON the wharf. stared I'M.
pudently into Hodgson's face and
when that belligerent gentleman dung
an angry word II, him flashed open
his coat and displayed his badge to the
utter confusion ct the tMliyman.
This betrayal OF petty vanity ON the
part Of the inspector brought Il gieam
to WoolSon'S br'mdins eyes He step
ped out Ut tho cage and approached
the detective. The line of coolies was
strtnging off on to the wharf. and the
bowed gnunt form ut tho last man
would soon approach 10 pick up the
boxes against which the inspector was
carelessly leaning.
WoOlsOn thrust an arm through the
inspectors pudgy one and turned him
away. Come over TO the hotci and
have something" he said geniaIIy.
Cant you drop your duties long
enough to spend sociable half houry'
Inspector Duffy Redeemed with tick.
led vanity. Thank you. sir. III be
pleased to join you.' he agreed as he
accompanied the manager across the
wide street where the glittering glass
front OF large hotel reflected the
busy scenes on the wharf
Inside the hotel WooIson sat facing
the water front. Making out pretty
well?" he asked at length
The inspector shook his head mo
trace of his being in the city" he said
ruefully. You SEQ. Mr.. Woolson, I've
been in Victoria for two days past and
raked the place clean. and | went to
you as Il last resort. I've cross uues-
toned your men. and I've got a slight
cIew-thnt's nll."
lyon were saying you had Il clew."
suggested Wooson as the inspector
yawned s!cepiy.
There Is Il slight clew. One Of
your men described a man that bought
IN outfit last week. At any rate. 1
feel justified in carrying my chase to
the Yukon" said Mr.. duffy.
"Our bouts are at your diSmsai.'
murmured W'mlsou. lighting another
cigar.
''rMnks. ri take that one IN the
morning. Now. il y"u'li excuse mo.
sir. llI go to my lodgings ana get
some traps together.
On the Steps of the hotel WOnlsOn
stood AND watched Inspector Duffy
roll down the street until the crowded
pavements swallowed him. Twilight
was falling. and the water front was
darkened with the approaching end Of
the day. In another half hour the
coolie gang would stop work.
The manager of the Great Mines
worked rapidly for severn! moments.
Then he made his way to the wharf
and entered the paymaster's cage. He
sent the man away OH some erraud
and called Hodgson: The tntlyman
came. throwing clustering commands
over his shoulder ut his coolies.
"Send that fellow around for his
money, Hodgson." directed his supe.
rior. that Chinaman told yOn to dis.
miss"
fright. sir" And Hodgson hustled
away.
Woolson stood stiffly, waiting while
the disreputable figure of the last man
crept up to the wicket He lifted his
head and pecred through at the big
red and white skinned EngIshman
with a shrinking fear III his own dirt
concealed TEXTURES. Coarse black hair
struggled into his dark eyes. and
long cue hung down his bnck. He
thrust trembling hand through the
wicket MS Woolson showed fat en-
velope toward him.
Laurence" whispered Woolson
guardedly. with his eyes fixed at some
point beyond the mans head. ''cut It!
Duffy of Scotland Yard Is after you.
There's plenty Of money in this envel-
ope. It's yours in remembrance Of
old times and. God willing, In antici-
patton of new and better times to
come. Lie low until midnight and
get aboard the Queen of the Sen. You
can easily lose yourself In China
The coolie drew deep breath you
me Mt once then. Arthur"
he gasped.
"Yes-never mind. it's all right. old
man. Keep me posted uf your move.
ments Better stick tn the Yangtzc
valley until 1t blows over. Perhaps I
can help you regain what you've lost"
He laid his broad hand over the thin
one Of the coolie.
The mans face worked strangely for
a moment. and he turned away: then
with sudden impulse he flung the
envelope back on the desk and said
sharply: II can't do it. Arthur. I'm
too big scoundrel rs 1t is-l have
wronged you enough. I'll find Duffy
and 80 back tn England with him.
After I've taken my medicine I'll come
back. and perhaps then III be worthy
to grasp your hand He choked sud.
denly.
Woolson spoke gruftly. i've done
nothing more than you would have
dnno in lil.o nirorrnc<o uono IN On3A tn