The Washington herald., 1912-06-30

L >
The fingers of Steele's pistol hand
twitched.
How I'd like to kill you" he breath
ed you won his wife, Nome; you
broke his heart-and after that he killed
himself. You sent a report into head
quarters that he killed himself by aeci-
dent. You lied. 1t was you who killed
hin-by taking his wife. got his
skull because / thought | might need
it against you to show that # was a
pistol instead of a rife that killed him.
And this isn't the first man you've sent
to hell, Nome, and it isn't the first
woman. But your next won't be Mrs.
BeckerI"
He thrust his revolver almost into the
other mans face as Nome opened his
lips to speak.
"Shut up" he cried. 'If you open
your dirty mouth again I'll be tempted
to kill you where you sitl Don't you
know what happened tonight? Don't
you know that Mrs. Becker forgot her
self, and remembered again, just in
time, and that you've taken a little blood
from the oolonel's heart as you took all
of it from-his?" He reached up and
broke the string that held the skull,
turning the empty face of the thing to-
word Nome. Look at it, you scoun-
! drel! That's the man you killed, as
you would kill the colonel if you could.
That's Janette~
His voice fell to a kissing whisper
as he showed the skull slowly across
the table, so close that a sudden move
ment would have sent it against the
others breast.
We've been fixing this thing up be-
tween us, Bucly-Msieur Janette and
l." he went on, land we've come to the
conclusion that we won't kill you, but
that you don't belong to the service.
Understand"
You mean-to drive me out"
One of Monies hands had stolen to his
side, and Steele's pistol arm grew
tense.
"On the table with your hands,
Bucky! There, that's better" he laughed
saftly.
yes. we're going to drive you out
You're going TO pack up a few things
right away, Bucl1y, and you're going to
run like the devil away from this place.
I'd advise you TO go straight back to
headquarters and resign from the
Northwest Mounted. MacGregor
knows you pretty well. BuclIy, and
knows one or two things you've done,
even though your whole record is not
an open book to him. l don't believe
he'll put any obstacles in the way of
your discharge although your enlist
ment hasn't expired. Disability is an
easy plea, YOU know. But if the inspect
or should think so much Of you that he
is loath to let you go, then M'sieur
Janette and | will have to fix up the
story for headquarters. and don't
mind telling you we'll add just little
for interest, and that the woman and
the people at Nelson House will swear
to il. You've the making of a good
outlaw. Bucky." he smiled tauntingly.
"and if you follow your natural bent
you'll have some Of your old friends
after you, good and hard You'd bet
ter steer clear Of that though, and try
your hand at being honest for once
M'sieur Janette wants to give you this
chance. and you'd better make good
time. So get move on, BuclIy. You'll
need blanket and little grub, that's
all"
Steele. you don't mean this! Good
God. man" Nome had half risen TO
his feet You don't mean this !"
With his free hand Philip took out
his watch.
81 mean that if you are not gone !
within fifteen minutes I'll march you
over to Breed and the colonel, tell them !
the story of M'sieur Janette. here. and |
hold you until we hear from headquar- |
tiers" he said quickly. Which will it |
be. Nome?"
L.
rose slowly to his feet. He spoke no |
word as he carefully filled his pack1
with the necessities Of long journey |
At the door, he opened it to go, he |
turned for just an instant upon Steele |
who was still holding the revolver in
his hand.
Remember. Bucky," admonished
Philip in a quiet voice. its all for the
good OF yourself and the service"
Fear had gone from Nome's face. II
was filled now with hatred so intense
that his teeth shone like the fangs Of
a snarling animal.
TO he'll with you" he said, and to
hell with the service; but remember,
Philip Steele, remember that some day
we'll meet again"
"Seme day" laughed Philip. Good
by. Bucky Nome-deserter"
The door closed and Nome was gone
Now. Msieur Janette, it's our turn"
cred Steele, smiling companionably
upon the skull and loading his pipe.
It's our turn"
He laughed aloud, and for some time
ouffed out luxurious clouds of smoke in
silence
It's the best days work I've done in
my life" he continued. with his eyes
still upon the skull The very best,
and it would be complete. M'sieur, if
could send you down to the woman
who helped to kill YOU"
He stopped, and his eyes leaped with
sudden FIRE. BY Georgel" he ex-
,laimed, under his breath. His pipe
vent out: for many minutes he stared
With set face at the skull. as if it had
,poken to him and its voice had trans
liked him where he stood. Then he
ossed his pipe upon the table, collected
lis service equipment and strapped it in
lis pack. After that he returned to
he table with a pad of paper and
,encil and sat down. His face was
strangely white as he took the skull in
lis hands
"P1l do it, SC help me all the gods,
II do i'll" he breathed excitedly.
Msieur, woman killed you--as much
S Bucky Nome, a woman did it. You
ouldn't do her any good-but you
I'm going to send you
o her, Msieur You're a terrible les
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