Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-04
CHAPTER VII.
The "Pink Nevker."


Evans ill hear Val Blacks the
owner of the pink necker at Lavette
village. It's an otters to a muskrats
pelt that then he'll head straight for
vals. We've got to be there afore
him"
The aftrnoon was yet young when
we arrived at Val Blacks. Val was
not at home, but Joe entered the hut
and searched 1t thoroughly. I asked
him what he was seeking.
"Those skins Of Sally's."
Then you think Black
"I think nothing yet. And here's
the man himself anyway"
He turned to the door as Val Black
came swinging up the trail. He was
Of middle height. strongly built, with
quick eyes and dark hair which,
though cropped close, still betrayed
its tendency to curl. He greeted No
vember warmly. November was,
thought, even more slow spoken than
usual.
VAL" he said, after some talk,
have you still got that pink necker
Sally knitted for you?"
"Yes. I've got her."
"Where?"
Right here" and Black pulled the
mufler out of his pocket.
"Huh!" said Joe.
There was silence, rather a strain
ed silence, between the two.
Then November continued. Where
was you last night?"
Val looked narrowly at Joe. Joe re-
turned his stare.
Say, November Joe, are you
searching for trouble?" asked Black
in an ominously quite voice.
Seems as If trouble was search
ing for me-" replied November.
There was another silence. Then
Val jerked out, 'I call your hand"
81 show it." said Joe. You're
suspected Of robbing Sally's traps
this month back. And you're suspect
ed Of entering Sally's house last
evening and stealing pelts.'
With a shout Of rage Val made at
Joe.
November stood quite still under
the grip of the others furious hands.
You act innocent, don't you, you
old coyotte!" he grinned ironically.
II never said suspected YOU"
Black drew off, looking a little
foolish, but he flared up again.
who Is 1t suspects me?"
Just Evans. And he's got good
evidence. Where was you between 6
and last night?'
I'm the woods. I come back and
slep' here"
WAS you alone?"
Yes"
Then you can't prove no alibi."
Joe paused.
1t was at this moment that Evans,
accompanied by two other forest ram
gers, appeared upon the scene. Quick
as lightning he covered Black with
his shotgun.
up with your hands," he cried,
"or I'll put this load Of birdshot into
your face"
up. He stood painting. At sign one
of the rangers sidled up, and the
click Of handouts followed.
What am / charged with?" cried
Black.
Robbery"
You'll pay me for this, Simon Ev-
ans!"
1T won't be for awhile-not until
they let you out again." retorted the
warden easily. Take him off up the
trail, Bill"
The rangers walked away with
their prisoner, and Evans turned to
Joe.
Guess 1 have the laugh of you,
November" he said.
Looks that way. Where you takin'
him?"
ITO Lavette. I've sent word to Mrs.
Rome to come there tomorrow. And
now," continued Evans, I'm going
to search Blacks shack"
What for?"
1.-The stolen pelts."
Got a warrant?"
I'm a warden-don't need one."
You'll not search without it,"
said November, moving in front Of the
door.
Who'll stop me?" Evans chin shot
out doggedly.
II might" said Joe in his most
gentle manner. I'm in the right, for
it's agin the law. and you know it,
Nj. Evans"
Evans hesitated. Have it your
way, but I'll be back with my war
rant before sunup tomorrow. and I'm
warden, and maybe you'll find it
better to have me for a friend than
Huh! Say, Mr.. Quaritch, have you
fill Of that light baccy O. yours? l
want soothin'."
AS soon as Evans was out of sight.
Joe beckoned me to thick piece OF
scrub not far from the hut.
stay right here till 1 come back.
Everything depends on that" he whis-
pered.
l lay down at my ease in shell
tered spot, and then Joe also took
the road for Lavette. Everything ap-
peared to be against Black-the cart
ridge which fitted his rifle, the strands
OF the telltale neckerchief, the mans
own furious behavior. his manifest
passion for Mrs. Rome, and the sug-
gested motive for the thefts-all these
things pointed, conclusively 1t SEEM
ed to me, in one direction. And yet
1 knew that almost from the begin
ming Of the inquiry November had de-
cided that Black was innocent.
The evening turned raw, and the
thin snow was softening. and though
1 was weary of my watch l was still
dreaming when l started under a
hand that touched my shoulder. Joe
was crouching at my side. He warn
ed me to caution, but l could not re-
T.o{n fro,,, N ruaction tn whara he