The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-20
CHAPTER XII.
The Looted Island.

n our campfire near one Of the fiords
of western Alaska. where we had
gone on hunting expedition after the
great moose of the west.
was talking when suddenly Joe
touched me-
'Shsh!' he whispered. There's some
feller moving down by the creek
We waited, and | was soon aware of
figure advancing through the night.
Then a voice said, Fine night,
mates" and sinewy. long armed fel-
low with bushy red beard stepped
into the circle of light
"The cold makes you keep your
hands in your pockets. don't it," said
Joe gently. 1t does me-"
| then noticed that both men were
covering each other with revolvers
through their pockets. The stranger
slowly drew out his hand
'I'm John Stafford
This here is Mr.. Quaritch of Que.
hec. I'm his guide. We're come after
big game.
II guess you're speaking truth. It's
up to me 10 apologize. I'm free to own
] was doubtful about you. You'll un-
derstand that when | tell you what's
happened. Perhaps you've noticed an
island about eight miles OFF the coast.
lying nor nor'west?'
''Sort of leaf shaped island? Yes"
THAT'S where | come from-Eel is
h1 fn I
turned to it Yesterday after run
down to Valdez When | went away
fortnight ago | LETT my man in charge
OF some OF the finest black foxes be-
tween this and Ungava. | got back 70
find the foxes all killed and my hired
man gone--disappeared.''
"Who was he:"
"An Aleut, called Sam. He's been in
my employ three years. | see what
you're thinliing-that he killed the fox
es, ard I'd have thought that myself.
only know he didn't
"How'S that"
One reason is that | own only one
boat and when | went to the main
land last Friday week | took it. leav-
ing Sam on the island It's all of
seven miles from the coast. so he
couldn't have got away if he wanted.
That | say. is one reason why it
couldn't have been him. The other
reasons as good. was decoyed away
so cleverly. Here's the letter that did
it,"
ir xx,ifa
At once. She's due FOR an operation IN
the hospital here on Friday week, and
she's hard put to it 10 plan for the chill
dren till she gets about again. So you'd
best come. Yours truly
s. MACFARLANE doctor.
| gave him back the letter ANY
man would have gone on such news"
said.
"Well, did" said Stafford savagely.
II got that letter twelve days back.
and off ! went hot foot. leaving Aler
Sam in charge 1t took me wee,
going down. When reached the house
where my wife is living. she was SUI
prised to see me. and | showed her
the letter. You can guess. 1t was all
a plant! There wasn't any DIR. Mac
farlane. nor any operation. and back
came-record breaking travel-to Eel
island. found the place clean gutted.
All the blacks and silvers caught and
killed and the skinned carcasses lying
around. And Aleut Sam vanished as
If he had never lived 1t may have
been done for spite. but whoever he
was he lived in my cabin several days,
and slept In my bunk. | wonder what
he did with Sam. Knocked him on
the head and heaved him in the sea
like as not. Pm nigh desperate. The
work of three years gone, three win
ters spent with Sam alone, like some
kind of Crusoe and his man Friday,
and keeping my wife and two little
gals down at Valdez"
"Look here, amt 1t bit early in the
year to kill foxes?" said Joe. after a
pause
They'd have been worth 25 per cent
more In n month"
"Then why?"--
Because | couldn't have been de-
coyed away except while the steamer
was running before the winter closed
down. See? Even as early as this In
the year the pets were worth $4,000"
My said Joe. Suspect any one
In particular?'