The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-02-04
CHAPTER XIV.

watching for us"
CHAPTER XIV.
THE Man In the Slack Hat.
WYE were silent for a moment
M Then Petersham turned to
w Puttick.
"What do you think of III.
Ben? You have some experience OF
these squatters up here DO you think
they mean businessY"
'.rhere amt much fooling about
these mountain men," Tuttick answer
ed bitterly. "And now says this to
you, Mr.. Petersham. and can't never
say nothing stronger. II you're mind
ed to stay on here at this place. you
must pay If you don't want Miss Pr
tersham hurt or killed"
MY daughter?"
That's how l read 1t. What else
could he mean? He said you'd be sCg-
~ all your life"
Good heavens! Even the most hara-
ened ruttians would not hurt a woman.
You don't think it possible" Peter
sham turned to me.
II think that Linda runs very great
risk by staying"
".rhen she shall 60"
But when Linda was called and the
facts made clear to her she absolutely
refused to leave Kalmacks.
You will force me to pay the mon
ey, then." said Petersham. though 1
am well aware that this demand win
only be the first of many. Whenever
these blackmailers want $1,000. aye,
or $4,000. they know they will only
have to ask me to supply them. Bus
can't risk YOU'LL pay"
Joe turned to Petersham. III yon
climb down now I'll BE- right sorry l
ever come with you. don't hold With
backing down under bluff"
|. who knew Joe, was surprised to
hear him offer 90 definite an opinion
In such strong terms. but Linda clap
ped her hands.
Its all nonsense, isn't it? Why, 1t
any one attempted to hurt me Joe
would make him regret it. wouldn't
you, JoeT' She flashed him u glance
of her glorious eyes.
'I'd sure try to hard enough" re-
piled November. "And now, Mr.. Qua
ritch, I'll ask Ben here to show me
just where the fella stood when he
held him up this morning"
So Joe went down to the brook. and
| | went with him. We were sooD be~
side the canoe which Puttick had been
mending.
Here's where l was, and there's
where he Stood" said Puttick. pointing
to small mass Of rock close by. And
there's the place l set down my watch"
November glanced over the details
and then followed the bank OF the
! brook for some distance. Presently ne
returned.
Did you strike his trail?" asked Put
tick.
mo. the stones lead right away to
the lake. and like as not he came Ia
q canoe"
Like as not" agreed Puttick and
resumed his work on the canoe WHICH
had been so rudely interrupted earlier
in the day,
We found Linda in the living room
arranging some fishing tackle. She at
once appealed to Joe.
ION. Joe. l want to try some OF
those English lures Mr.. Quaritch gave
me. I'm going to fish, and want to
use this two jointed pole. viii yon
Tx it for me?"
I'D like you to make me prom
Use, Miss Linda"
What is it?'
mot to 90 out at all today"
You don't think I'm In danger?"
You're in great danger. Miss
Linda"
"Then you must go out with me,
Joe. Ii you are with me they will no,
dare
Look here Miss Linda, if yon'll stay
in the house just over today wouldn's
wonder but it might be quite safe for
after"
Joe. you mean you have discover
ed
mo; l amt discovered nothing, put
if you stay in the way ask maybe
shall" Joe took up his hat.
"Where are you going. November p
| asked.
over to Senlis lake, Mr.. Qnaritch
Win you see Ben Puttick and tell him
| won't be back till lateish and will he
cook the potatoes and the cornnoEs
cakes if | don't get back to time? Miss
Linda, will you please tell every one
even your father. that you have q
mighty painful head and that's why
you're staying in?'
Yes, Joe,' said Linda.
After Joe's departure took boob
: and sat with it in the veranda. whcr.
/ | was joined in due course by Lind:
and MIR. Petersham
| Its cool here, the only cool spot in
the place today" remarked Petersham