The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-03

Certainly, | brought that let
ter" answered Jensen.
At his words the young woman
stood up. This man who calls
himself Kerrison had the letter in
his possession when arrived
here, but | am satisfied it is not
his. What he is here for | do
not know; but it means no good
to you, Peter Saint"
AS Miss Kerrison spoke, Jen-
sen caught the mans face glaring
his way with look of intense
fury.
Jensen lodged quickly to one
side at the very instant the blind
man shot toward him like a stone
from a catapault. Peter Saint fell
crashing to the floor, and Jensen
leaped forward to pin him there,
only to feel his arm grasped in
the mouth of the dog, Babe, as
she ierked him onto his back and
stood across his chest with
threatening jaws extended.
Saint Peter or Peter Saint-he
called himself both arose to his
feet and stepped toward a shelf.
Returning with a stout rope, he
began to truss Jensen upon a
| thoroughly competent name
while Babe. the big wolf-collie,
held menacing jaws but few
inches from his throat.
Having removed Jensen's auto
matte, and tied Jensen's arms and
legs so securely that he could
scarcely move. Peter Saint car
ried him to a low bench seat that
extended along one side of the
cabin.
Look here, Peter Saint" Jen-
sen exclaimed. This is utter
foolishness. You already have my
revolver, and I'll give you my
word to modest no one if you will
loosen these cords; they are deu-
cedly uncomfortable. My Shout
der, too, pains like the very deuce
where your dog fastened her
teeth, and | ought to dress it."
AS he spoke, Peter Saint turn
ed toward Miss Kerrison with a
questioning gesture. Jensen at
tempted to move his upper body,
and even the slight movement he
was able to make in turning his
body sent a dart of agonizing
pain shooting from finger to-
shoulder.
He saw the freight suddenly
die down, and the room went
dark about him just as Miss Kerr
rison told Peter Saint to release
him.
When Jensen regained his
senses he was lying upon a thick,
fur-covered skin in the warmest
corner before the fire; and Miss
Kerrison was moving about the
room, making final preparations
for the meal, while Peter Saint
attended to Jensen's wound.
AS Jensen arose to his feet, aft
er having his arm bandaged, he
rceled a bit with dizziness and
Peter Saint assisted him toward
a Widespread table with all the
tenderness of a mother minister
ing to a child.
Miss Kerrison, Peter Saint
and | have declared true for the
night" said Jensen with a smile,
as he drew forward a chair and
waved an invitation for her to be
seated at the table. 81 hope this
arrangement includes yourself as
well. | mean to explain all about
that letter, and ! want you both
to hear what l have to say"
For a few moment the three
gathered about the table paid ex-
pressive tribute to the culinary
skill of Peter Saint. Then Jensen
thought it time to explain the
matter of the letter.
Now, Peter Saint" said Jen-
sen, "I'll explain fully about that
letter; Babe is right, it was not
really mine; the man who origin
ally possessed that letter is dead.
He"
The sound of a quick, gasping
intake of breath made Jensen stop
abruptly. Miss Kerrison was look
ing at him with wide, staring
eyes as she repeated in awed
tones:
Dead; tell me quickly, how
did he die, and where?"
Il am coming to that" an
swered Jensen, and told simply of
his finding of the sick man.
81 was with him when he died
at the charcoal burners camp"
he continued, land he exacted a
promise from me that / would de-
liver this letter at Peter Saints
camp, after which | was to return
with the package the note refers
to-"
Return to where?"
ITO New York"
"And to whom were you to de-
liver this package in New York;"
She eyed him keenly as she put
the question.
ITO the bank"
Jensen found sudden inspira-
ton for his answers in what the
delirious Springvale had said
when he first came among the
charcoal burners. Apparently 1t
was an answer that satisfied Miss
Kerrison, for a look of relief
flowed across her face.
tom Springvale told me that
the code word I must speak here
was DAMN" continued Jensen,
"T am sorry 7 miyad I'M rnaftaro az