The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-12

room.
Amy one but me been using tobacco
in here latelyf" be asked.
Not that ! know Of" replied Sally
"A cool hsnd,- said November
When he'd got the skin be stopped
TO fll his pipe. 1t was then he dropped
the cartridge-it came ont OF his pock
ct with the pipe. | expect All that
can tell you about him is that he
smokes Gold Nugget"-he pointed to
the shreds-"and carries small bore
make OF English rife. Hello. Where's
the old bitch?"
''old Rizpah? | dunno. less she's
gone along to Seats place. Ruby'd
take her if she could. she's that scairt
of the woods. but Rizpah's never left
Danny before"
Joe drained his cup. We've not
found much inside the house." said he
LAS soon as the suns up we'll try our
luck outside. Till then | guess we'd
best put In doze."
Mrs. Rome made up shakedowu of
skins near the stove and disappeared
behind the deerskin curtain.
When I awoke next morning il was
10 see, with some astonlshment. that
new Parsonage had been drawn into
our little drama OF the woods A dark
bearded man in the uniform of a game
warden was sitting on the other side
Of the stove.
This is Game Warden Evans, Mr..
Quaritch.'' she said He was at
Seats last night. There be hea I'd
about me losing fur from the traps and
come right over to see il be couldn't
help me-"
Having exchanged the usual saluta.
ttons. Evans remarked good humor-
edly:
"November's out trailing the robber.
Him and mes been talking about the
black fox pelt. Joe's wasting his time
all right I can tell him who the
thief ik."
You know~ I exclaimed
Evans nodded II can find out any
time"
How
"Care to seer' he rose and went to
the door. Guess Joe missed It." he
said. pointing with his finger.
| turned in the direction indicated
and saw that upon one OF the nails
which had been driven into the door of
the cabin some bright colored threads
were banging. Going nearer I found
them to be strands of pink and gray
worsted. twisted together.
What d'you think of that?' asked
Evans. with a heavy wink.
Before I could answer Joe came into
sight round clump Of bush on the
edge OF the clearing.
Well called the game warden,
"any luckT'
Not just exactly" he said
Whist do you make OF tbat%' asked
Evans again. pointing at the futtering
worsted. with glance of suppressed
triumph at joe
"Huh!" said November. What do
you?"
Pretty clear evidence that. amt it?
The robber caught his necker on thos,
nails as he slipped out. We're getting
closer. English rife. Gold Nugget in
his pipe. and pink and gray necker.
Find a chap that owns all three. 1t
can't be difficult. Wardens have eyes
in their heads as well as you. Novem-
ber."
"SureT agreed Joe politely, but with
an abetracted look. as he examined the
door. You say you found it here?"
Yes"
Huh" said Joe again.
Anything else on the trail?" asked
Evans.
November looked at him. "He shot
Rizpah."
"The old dog? | suppose she attack
ed him and he shot her
"Yes, he shot her-irst."
First? What them"
HE cut her nigh in pieces with his
knife"
Without more words Joe turned back
into the woods. and we went after
him. Hidden in a low. marshy SPOT
oDOuL udIl nlie lTOHl IHe mouse, we
came upon the body OF the dog. 1t
was evident she had been shot-more
than that, the carcass was hacked
about in horrible manner.
What do you say now. Mr.. Evans?"
inquired Joe.
What do | say? l say this: When
we find the thief we'll likely 6nd the
marks of Rizpahs teeth on him.
That's what made him mad with rage.
and Evans waved his hand.
We returned to breakfast at Mrs
Rone's cabin. While we we're eating
Evans casually brought out a scrap
of the worsted he had detached from
the nail outside.
Seen any one with a necker like
that. Mrs Rone?' - asked
The Young woman glanced at the
bit Of wool, then bent over Danny as
she fed him. When she raised her
head ! noticed that she looked very
white
There's more'n one Of that color
hereabouts likely she replied. with
another glance Of studied indifference.