The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-23

chronometer from under his pillow
Seven O'clock" he replied; FIVE
minutes past. maybe"
Quest nodded.
THAT seems all right" he declared.
I'm explain later, professor"
He hurried out into French's tent
| and found the inspector just drawing
on his shoes.
French. what's the time?" he de-
manded.
Three minutes past seven. or
the.eabouts." French replied. yawn-
ing. I'm coming right along. We've
got lots of time. Three-quarters Of
an hour ought to do it, the boys say"
They walked outside to the camp.
where the cowboys were finishing
their breakfast
Say, boss" one of them called out,
you're not making that $3.50 train to
New York;"
why not?" Quest asked. quickly.
Its only three-quarters of an hours
ride, is it,"
Maybe not" the other replied. but
as it's eight now, your chances amt
looking lively. Kind of oversight,
haven't you?"
Both men glanced once more at
their watches. Then Quest thrust his
back with little oath.
Our watches have been set back!"
he exclaimed. THE Hands again!"
For moment they looked at one
another dumfounded. Then Quest
moved towards the corral.
Say, is there any quicker way to
the depot?" he inquired of the cow
boys.
They heard his question indiffer-
emily.
Fifty dollars" Quest continued. "to
anyone who can take me by quicker
route"
One of them rose slowly to his feet.
WAL" he observed, fifty dollars
would come in kind of handy. Yes.
| reckon | can cut off a mile or two for
you
Fifty dollars for you. then" Quest
replied, as they hurried towards the
horses, "and an extra ten if we make
the train.
They galloped off into the distance.
uc CON uOyo huISIleu thSll
and went off to their work. Laura
stole out from her tent and started off
in rather a shamefaced manner, for
walk. Presently Lenora opened her
eyes. She, too, stretched out her
hand for her watch. Suddenly she
sat up in bed with little exclamation.
On the table by her side WAS small
black box She took off the lid with
trembling fingers, drew out a scrap
of paper and read.
Fools! Tongues of flame will cross.
depot alive.
Lenora glanced at Laura's empty
bed. Then she staggered to the open.
ing of the tent.
Laura" she cried.
There was no one there. The COW.
boys had all gone to their work, Laura
had passed out Of sight across the
ridge in the distance. Lenora stag.
gered to the cook wagon, where the
Chinese cook was sitting cleaning
plates.
Listen" she cried. They are in
danger the three men who have gone
off to the depot! If you'll ride after
them, l will give you hundred dol
lars. Give them this" she added.
holding out the scrap Of paper
The Chinaman shook his head. He
glanced at the slip of paper indiffer-
emily and went on with his work.
mo can ride. missee." he said.
Lenora looked around helplessly.
The camp was empty. She staggered
across towards her own horse.
Come and help me-" she ordered.
The Chinaman came unwillingly.
They found her saddle, but he only
gazed at it in a stolid sort of fashion.
mo can fix" he said. "Missee no
can ride. Better go back bed"
Lenora pushed him on one side.
With a great effort she managed to
reach her place in the saddle. Then
she turned and, with her face to the
depot, galloped away. The pain was
excruciating. She could only keep
herself in the saddle with an effort.
Yet all the time that one sentence was
ringing in her head-"Tongues OF
fiame." She kept looking around anx.
iously Suddenly the road dropped
from little decline. She was con.
scious of wave of heat. In the dis.
tance she could see the smoke rolling
across the open. She touched her
horse with the quirt. The spot which
,l,a TO hn 70