The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-13
Continued

. never FeHeUNueTeu Cllit tlli luis ulin.
ute"' She looked hack into .Ioe's gray
eyes with Indignation. And he smokes
Nugget all right. too. | know it. All
the same. il isn't Nal.'
It's queer them bits of worsted on
the doornails," observed Joe judicialiy
Her color famed for u moment.
why queer: He's been here to see
m MS more n once this time back.
The nails might have caught his neck.
er any day. she retorted.
Its just possible" agreed Novem'
ber in an uncouvinced voice.
1T can't be Vail" repeated Mrs.
Rome steadily. When we were out
of sight and of earshot turned TO
November
The evidence against Black is pret.
~ strong What's your notion:"
Cant say yet think we'd best
join Evans; he'll be trailing the thief ''
We made straight through the woods
toward the spot where the dogs body
lay. AS we walked | tried again tu
find out Joe's opinion.
But the motive: Haven't Mrs.
Rome and Black always been on good
terms" | persisted
Joe allowed that was so and added
"Val wanted to marry her years ago"
But surely Black wouldn't rob her.
especially now that he has his chance
again"
Think not?" said Joe Il wouderr
After pause he went on: But ii
amt hard to see what'll be Evans
views on that. He'll say Val's scared
Of her growing too independent. for
and So he Just naturally took "a hand To
frightcn her into marriage His case
ugin Val wont break down for want ui
motive
one question more. Joe DO you
really think Eal Black is the guilty
man."
November Joe louErd up with his
quick. sudden smile "ltil hr II shock
to Evans II he amt" said he
Very soon We struck the robber $
tracks that Evans WAS ahead of us fol
lowing it.
Here the thief goes" said Joe
"See! He's covered his mOccasins with
deer skin. and here, We have EVANS
! tracks He's hurrying. Evans is He's
feeling goud aud sure ut the man he ;
after"
Twice November pointed out faint
signs that meant nothing to me.
Here's where the robber stopped to
light his pipe. See! There's the mark
Of the butt of his gun between these
roots. The SHOWS thin there. Must
a had Il match. that chap, he said
after Il minute, and. standing with his
back to the wind. he made II slight
movement Of his hand.
What are you doing?" asked.
Saving myself trouble" He turned
at right angles and began searching
through the trees, Here it is Hung
up in a snag Seadog match he used
| Then. catching my eye. he went on
| UNLESS he was fool he'd light his
match with his face to the wind
wouldn't he: And most right halltteC
men 'ud throw the match therebout.
where hunted for it,
Well on i'll the afternoon the trail lee
out to the banks of wide and shallow
stream. into the waters OF which they
disappeared Here We overlook Evans
He WAS standing by the ashes of FIR,
almost on the bank
He looked up as We appeared THAI
! you. Joe? Chaps took to the water.
said the game warden. but he'll have
to do more than that to shake me off.
Chap made this, too?" inquiret
November, with glance at the deat
fire
| Evans nodded. Walked steady I'll
he came here. Dunno what be lit tn,
fire for. Carried grub. s'pose."
No; to cook that partridge" salt
Joe.
I glanced at Evans. His face dark
ened Clearly this did not please him
"Oh. he shot PARTRIDGE
NJ Sdlu JOt, ue lOOSeu IL DdCi
| In the spruces there. The track of th
wire moose is plain. and there wa
some feathers. But look here. Evans
he didn't wear no pink necker"
Evans annoyance passed off sud
denly. That's funny" said he. "fo
he left more than a feather and tn
scrape of a wire" The game wardel
pulled out a pocketbuok and Shove,
US wedged between its pages anothe
strand of the pink and grey wool =
found it where he passed through
those dead spruces. How's that?"
looked at Joe. To my surprise h
threw back his head and gave one O
his rare laughs
We'll" cried Evans. 'are you sti
sure that he didn't wear a pin
necker?"
"Surer than ever" said Joe. and be
gan td poSe in the ashes
Evans eyed him for a moment. trans
ferred his glance to me and winket
Before long he left us. his last word
being that he would have his hands o
Pink Necker" by night.