The Detroit times., 1912-08-13
CHAPTER XVI.
A Golden Lock Of Hair.


A Golden Lock Of Hair.
As the sun was rising in a burning
August glare over the edge OF the
parched prairie, Philip saw ahead OF
him the implanted board shanty that
was called Bleak House station, and
n few moments later he saw a man
run out into the middle OF the track
and stare down at him from under
the shade OF his hands. II was Bill
linger, his English,red face as white
as he had left Gums, his shirt In
rags, arms bare, and his tremendous
blonde mustaches crisped and scared
by fire. Close TO the station. fastened
to posts, were two saddle-horses. A
mile beyond these things a thin MIN
of smoke clouded the sky.
As the jigger stopped Philip jump
ed from his seat and held out bis
tered hand I'm Steele-Philip Steele
of the Northwest Mounted"
"And I'm Billinger-agent, SAID
the other. Philip noticed that the
hand that gripped his own was raw
and bleeding. Il got your word, ana
I've received instructions from the de-
partment TO place myself at youi ser
vice. NY wife Is at the key I've
found the trail, and I've got two
horses. But there isn't another man
who'll leave up there for love o God
or money. It's horrible TWO hours
ago you'd ave heard their screams
from where you're standing the
hurt. | mean, and | don't blame EN-.
A pretty, brown-haired young wo-
man had come TO the door and Bill
niger ran to her. "Good-by," he cried,
taking her for a moment in his big
arms. Take care of the key he
turned as quickly TO the horses, talk
ing as they mounted. 1t was rob
berry he said-and they set OF at
canter, side by side. There was
100000 In currency in the express
car. and it's gone. found their trail
this morning, going into the north.
They're hitting for what we call the
BAD Lands over beyond the Coyote,
twenty miles from here ] don't sup
nose there's any time TO lose
'No," said Philip. How many are
thore?"
"Four-mebby more"
BilIinger started his horse into q
gallop and Philip purposely held, MS
mount behind 10 look at the other
man. The first law of MacGregors
teaching was TO study men, ana 10
suspect. II was the first law or the
snlendid service of which he was
part-and SO he looked hard at Bill
finger. The Englishman was hatless.
His sandy hair was cropped short,
md his mustaches fioated out IKE
flexible horns from the sides OF MS
face. His shirt was in tatters. 10
one place It was ripped clean OF the
shoulder and Philip saw a purpush
bruise where the flesh was bare. lie
knew these for the marks Of Billing
er's presence at the wreck. Now the
man was equipped for, other business.
A huge "forty-fottr'' hung At his
waist, a short carbins swung al ms
, saddlebow: and there was solnstn ,,.s
pin ~
l hnncn rs, and In
vicious sweep or HIS fong mustaehes'
that satisfied Philip he was a man
who could use them. He rode up
alongside OF him with new con-
fidence They were coming TO the top
OF a knoll; at the summit Billinger
stopped and pointed down into a hol-
low a quarter Of mile away.
eft will be a loss OF time to go down
there" he said, "and II will DO no
good. See that thing that looks like
n big log in the river? That's the
ton OF the day coach. II went In right
aide mn. and the conductoT-who
wasn't hurt--says there were 20 peo-
ME In II. We watched II settle from
the shore. and we couldn't do a thing
while they were dying in there like
so many Gagged rats The other coach
burned. and the heap OF stuff you see
there Is what's left of the Pullman
and the baggage car. There's twenty
seven dead stretched out along the.
track, and good many hurt. Great
Heavens, listen to that"
He shuddered, and Philip shud-
dered, at the wailing sound OF Srief
and pain that came up to them.
'It1l be a loss OF time-to go
down" repeated the agent
Eyes, II would be loss OF time, =
agreed Philip.
His blood was burning at fever
heat when he raised his eyes from
the scene below TO Billinger's face.
Every lighting fiber in his body was
tingling for action. and at the respon-
sive glare which he met In Billinger's
eyes he thrust his hand half over the
space that separated them.
We'll get EN-, Billinger," he cried.
by God, well get emf"
There was something ferocious In
the crush OF the others hand. The
Tnglishman's teeth cleaned for an
instant between his scared mustaches
as he heeled his mount into a canter
along the back Of the. ridge Five
, minutes later the knoll dipped again
into the plain and at the foot OF II
Blllinger stopped his horse for a Sec
ond and pointed TO fresh hoof-marks