Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-12
tracks of them was plain" replied No

NOScmUeT puuScu Ill uIiiuS hAo PAP@'
He couldn't Sleep" said he, "and so
he got up and cut that candlestick.
What'd he want to light candle for
but to read by? And why should he
want to read in the middle Of the
night II he was not in trouble? And
II he was In trouble, what book would
he want to read? Besides, not one
trapper in hundred carries any book
but the Bible"
"I see. But how did you know 1t
was In the middle Of the night?"
"Did you notice where he cut his
candlestick"
mo" said /.
81 did, and he made two false cuts
where his knife slipped in the dark.
You're wonderful at questions"
"And you at answers"
November stirred the embers under
the kettle. and the freight Lit up his
fine face as he turned with yawn.
my" said ne, "but I'm glad Hig-
hanson had his reasons. I'd "A hated
to think of that old man shut in where
f, he couldn't see the sun rise. Wouldn't
you"
CHAPTER w.
The Seven Lumberjaeks.
"HE more l saw Of Joe In the
days which followed. the more
appreciated the man and the
more ! became convinced of his
remarkable gifts. 1t was not long aft
cr our return from st. Amiel before
Joe succeeded in getting me fair shot
at the large red deer buck Of Widde-
ney pond, and 1t so happened that-the
killing Of this buck brought us news Of
old Highamson, for we took the head
down to him to set no.
Joe and walked over and found him
living with his daughter, Janey Lysn,
for the police had never been success
full in discovering the identity OF the
avenger of Big Tree portage. The two
seemed very happy together, but l
must acknowledge that feared from
what l 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. "Old Man
IIighamson told me that neither Bax-
ter Gurd nor Miller don't give her no
peace. Well, guess a woman's better
married anyway"
1t was drawing on toward evening
and had begun to rain when we turned
from the woods into the mile long trail
that led to NOvember's shack. Hi;
quick glance fell at once upon the
ground and. following his eye, l saw
the impression Of fresh tracks.
What do they tell your" l asked. for
it was always a matter OF interest to
me to put November's skill to the little
daily tests that came in my way.
TRY yourself" said he.
"a man IN moccasins-probably an
, Indian-has passed along. Isn't that
right" asked.
November Joe smiled grimly.
"Not just quite. The man isn't an
Indian; he's q white man, and he car
ries big news and has not come very
far"
you're sure" l said, STOPPING to ex-
anime the trail more closely. but with.
out result.
Certain! The Indian moccasin has
no raised heel. These have. He's NOT
come far. He's travelling fast-see. he
springs from the ball Of the foot, and
when a man finishes journey on the
run you may be sure he thinks he's
got a good reason for getting to the
end of II. This trail leads nowhere
but to my shack and We'll sure find
our man there"
Ten minutes later, when we came In
sight Of Novembers home, We were
aware Of q big man sitting on a log
smoking his pipe beside the door. He
was middle aged. with hard face
and there was more gray In his russet
beard than his age warranted. AS soon
dS we hppeuIeu hc iSupCN oP eA0 >eN-->
across the open to meet us.
"Blackmask is at 1t again! he cried
saw CLEAN Of anticipation. If not
| Of pleasure, cross Nocember's face. He
turned to me.
"This Is Mr.. Close. manager Of the
River Star Pulp company's Camp c.
he said. I'D like to make you known
to Mr.. Quaritch. Mr.. Close" This
courtesy concluded. he added in bis
deliberate tones, whats Blackmask
done now?'
Hes at his old tricks! But this year
we'll 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" h'
explained. Each time 1t was Just q
single lumberjack who got held up
and each time man In black mask
was the robber. November here was
away"
"Up in Wyoming with Philadel
phia lawyer after elk" supplements
the tall young woodsman.
"The police failed to make any ar
rest. though once they were on tn
ground within four hours Of the hold
up." went on Close. "But all that Il
ancient history. 1t Is what happened
to Dan Michaels last night tina
brought me here at seven miles nj
hour. Dan has been working for pret
ty nigh a three months stretch, ant
the day before yesterday he came int
the office and told me his mother wa
dead and he must have leave for tn
funeral. He had n good big roll o
bills due, and could see he meant t
blow them, so l paid him and told hil
| I'd try to keep a job warm for hinr til
he came back from the funeral.
gave him ten days to get through wit
his spree: Something Id said annoye
him, and after telling the cook hi
opinion of me and saying he wouldn'
sleep another night In camp where
was boss he legged out for the settle
ment"
by himself?"
Eyes, alone. Next morning, brigh
and early, he was back again, and thi
was the yarn he slung me. He'd mad