The Washington herald., 1912-07-14
CHAPTER vII-continued.
you have killed him" said pbilir

You have killed him." said Philip.
There was no sympathy in his voic
II was the cold. passioniess accusatio
OF man of the law, and the woma
bowed her face in her hands. He PIT
on his service cap, frightened his bel
and touched her gently on the arm.
DO you know where your husban
is conhned." he asked. 81 will tax
you there. and you may remain wit
HIM tonight"
She frightened instantly. "Yes," sh
said: Gomez
They passed through the door, clos
ing IT carefully behind them, and tn
woman led the way to dark window.
less building hundred yards from tn
dead chiefs headquarters.
This is the camp prison" she whis
pered.
A man clad in great bearskin coat
was on guard at the door. In tht
moonlight he recognized Philips uni
form.
Here are orders from the inspector,
said Philip, holding out MacGregor's
letter Il am to have charge of the
prisoner. Mrs Thorpe is to spend the
night with him."
A moment later the door was opened
and the woman passed in. As he turn
ed away Philip heard low sobbine
cry, a mans startled voice. Then the
door swung heavily on its hinges and
there was silence.
Five minutes later Philip was bend
ing again over the dead man. A sur
prising transformation had come over
him now. His face was flushed and his
as he covered the body with blanket.
On the wall hung pair OF overalls and
a working mans heavy coat. These
and Hodges hat he quickly put on in
place of his own uniform. Once more
he went out into the night
This time he came up back of the
prison. The guard was pacing back
and forth in his beaten path, so thickly
muffied about the ears that he did not
hear Philips cautious footsteps behind
him. When he turned he found the
muzzle of revolver within arms
length of his face.
Hands up| commanded Philip.
The astonished man obeyed without
a word
IF you make a move or the slightest
sound Ill kill youl" continued Philip
threateningly. Drop your hands be-
hind you-there, like that!'
With the quickness and skill which
he had acquired under Sergt. Moody he
secured the guards wrists with one OF
the coffin box straps. and gagged him
with the same cloth that had been used
upon himself He had observed that
his prisoner carried the key TO the pad
locked cabin in one of his coat pockets,
and after possessing himself OF this he
made him seat himself IN the deep
shadow, strapped his ankles, and then
unlocked the prison door.
There was a light inside, and from
beyond this the white faces of the man
and the woman stared at him as he en-
tered The man was leaning back in
his cot. and Philip knew that the wife
had risen suddenly. for one arm was
still encircling his shoulders, and hand
was resting on his cheek as If she had
been stfoking it caressingly when he
interrupted them. Her beautiful, start
led eyes gazed at him half dehantly
now.
He advanced into the light, took off
his hat, and smiled.
With a cry Thorpe's wife sprang to
her feet
"Sh-h-h-hw warned Philip, raising
a hand and pointing 10 the door behind
them.
Thorpe had risen. Without a word
Philip advanced and held out his hand.
Only half understanding, the prisoner
reached forth his own. As. for an in
slant, the two men stood in this posi-
ton, one smiling, the other transhxed
with wonder, there came a stified, sob
bing cry from behind. Philip turned.
The woman stood in the lamp glow, her
arms reaching out to him-to both
and never, net even at Lac Balm, had
he seen woman more beautiful than |
Thorpe's wife at that moment.
As if nothing had happened, he went |
to the table, where there was pen and |
nix and pad of paper.
Perhaps your wife hasn't told you !
that has happened tonight,
Thorpe" he said. IF she hasn't, she
Till-soon. Now, listenr'
He had pulled a small book from an
nner pocket and was writing.
My name is Steele, Philip Steele, of
he Royal Mounted. Down in Chicago
I've got father, Philip Egbert Steele,
| banker, who's worth half dozen mil
ions or so. You're going down to him
IS fast as dog-sledge and train can
AIRY you, and you'll give him this note.
I says that your name Is Johnson, and
hat for my sake he's going to put you
IN your feet, so that il is going to be
,retty blamed comfortable for yourself
and the noblest little woman I've ever
net. Do you understand. Thorpe?"
He looked up. Thorpe's wife had
one to her husband. She stood now,
alf in his arms. and looking at him; as
hey were, they reminded him of a cou-
lie who had played the finale in a
rama which he had seen a year be-
ore
There is one favor which you must
o me, Thorpe" he went on. AT home
am rich. Up here I'm only Phil
teele, of the Royal Mounted. I'm
.lling you so that you won't think
lat Pm stripping myself when make
ou take this. t's a little ready cash,
nd check for a thousand dollars.
ONE day, if you want to, you can pay
back. Now hustle up and get your
othes on. / imagine that your frineds
re somewhere near-with the sledge
lat brought me up from lie Pas. To-
orrow, of course, shall be compelled
} take up the pursuit But if You hurry
don't believe that l shall catch you"
He rose and put on his hat. leaving a
e money and the check on the table. i
he woman staggered toward him, the Il
an following in a dazed, stunned sort n
way. He saw the woman's arms O
aching otrt ~ hir,, ,Uain \ IooL -, n