The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-11-19
CHAPTER ~.
The Seven Lumberjaeks.

!" HE more I saw OF Joe In the
days which followed. the more
| appreciated $50 man and the
more ! becanie convinced OF his
remarkable gifts 1t wis not long aft
er our return from 81 Amiel before
Joe succeeded Ia getting n.a fair shot
at the large red deer buck OF Widde-
ney pond. and II so happrned that the
killing of this buck broi. I us news of
old Highamson. for we took the head
down TO him TO set up.
Joe and walked over and found him
living with. his daughter. Janey Lyon
for the police had never been success
fuI in discovering the Identity of the
avenger of Big Tree portage. The two
seemed very happy together. but
must acknowledge that | feared from
what saw that the beautiful Janey
would not continue TO bear the name of
Lyon much longer | said as much to
November Joe as we were walking
back.
That's nature said he. odd Man
HighamsOn told me that neither Bax-
ter Gurd nor Miller don't give her no
peace. Well. | guess woman's better
married anyway"
It was drawing on toward evening
and had begun to rain when we turned
from the woods into the mile long trail
that led to Noyember's shack. His
quick glance fell at once upon the
ground and. following his eye. ! saw
the impression of fresh tracks.
What do they tell you?" asked. for
it was always matter Of interest to
me to put November's skill to the little
daily tests that came ln my way.
Try yourself" said he
"a man In moccasins probably an
Indian has passed along. Isn't that
rightg i asked.
November Joe smiled grimly
Not just quite. The man isn't an
Indian: he's white man. and he car
ries hig news and has not come very
far
You're sure?~ said. STOPPING to ex-
anime the trail more closely. but with
out result
Certain. The Indian moccasiu hns
no raised heel These have. Hes NOT
come far. He's travelling fast-see, he
springs from the ball OF the foot and
when man finishes journey on the
run you may be sure he thinks he's
got a good reason for getting to the
end OF it This trail leads nowhere
but to my shack. and we'll sure ind
our man there =
Ten minutes later. when we came in
sight of November's home. we were
aware of a big man sitting on log
smoking his pipe beside the door He
was middle aged. with a hard face.
and there was more gray in his russell
beard than his age warranted As soon
as we appeared he leaped up and came
across the open to meet us.
''Blackmask Is at it again. he cried
saw a CLEAN of anticipation. if not
of pleasure. cross Noveinber's face. He
turned TO me-
This is Mr.. Close. manager of the
River Star Pulp company's Camp c."
be said. I'D like to make you known
to Mr. Quaritch. Mr. Close" This
courtesy concluded. be added in his
deliberate tones. What's Blackmask
done now?"
He's ut his old tricks! But this year
Wei lay him by the heels. or my
names not Joshua Close The speak
er looked up. and. seeing my puzzled
expression. addressed himself to me.
Last year there were FIVE separate
robberies committed on the road be
tween Camp C and the settlement" he
explained Each time it was just
single lumberjack who got held up.
and each time a man III a black mask
was the robber November here was
away"
up In Wyoming with Philadel
phia lawyer after elk" supplemented
the tall Young woodsman
The police failed to make any ar
rest though once they were on the
ground within four hours OF the hold
up went on Close But all that is
ancient history 1t is what happened
To Dan aIichaels last night that
brought ME here at seven miles an
hour Dan has been working for pref
~ nigh three months stretch and
The day before Yesterday he came into
the office and told me his mother wa
! dead and he mast have leave for the
funeral he had n good bic roll OF
bills due. anl I conlf see ne meant tn
blow them. so paid him and told him
| I'd try TO keep job warm for him till
| ne tame hack from fhe funeral l
gave him ten days TO get through with
lis-spree Something I'd said annoyed
him. and after telling the cook his