The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-03-22

ton, commissioner Of the general land
| office, might be forced to resign his
place. This was blow to the coal
claimants, and the Sun charged in
vitriolic language that the reports of
Elliot were to blame. He was, the
newspaper claimed, an enemy to all
those who had come to Alaska to earn
an honest living there. He was
snake in the grass, and as such every
decent man ought to hold him in scorn.
Elliot read this just as HE was leav-
ing for the Willow Greek camp. He
thrust the paper impatiently into his
| coat pocket and swung to the saddle.
Why did they persecute him? He had
told nothing but the truth, nothing not
required of him by the simplest, ele-
| mental honesty. Yet he was treated
| as an Outcast and a criminal. The in
justice of it. was beginning to rankle.
He was temperamentally an optl-
mist, but depression rode with him to
the gold camp and did not lift from his
| spirits till he started back next day for
Kusiak. The news had been flashed by
wire all over the United States that he
| was crook. His friends and relatives
could give no adequate answer to the
fact that an Indictment hung over his
head. In Alaska he was already con-
Evicted by public opinion.
In the late afternoon, while Gordon
was still fifteen miles from Kusiak,
his horse fell lame. He led it limping
| to the cabin of some miners.
There We're three of them, and they
had been drinking heavily from jug
of whisky left earlier in the day by
the stage-driver. Gordon was in two
minds whether to accept their surly
permission to stay for the night, but
| the lameness of his horse decided him.
| Not caring to invite their hostility,
| he gave his name as Gordon instead of
Elliot. He was to learn within the
hc:sr That this was mistake number
| two ~
Fr0rn pocket of the coat he had
thrown Da bed protruded the news
paper Gordon had brought from Ku-
siak. One Of the men, big red-head-
ed fellow, pulled It out and began sulk-
fly to read.
While he read Che other two bick-
/ cred and drank and snarled at each
other. All three of the men were in
that stage of drunkenness when a
quarrel is likely to flare up at mo-
ment's notice.
"Listen here" demanded the man
\ with the newspaper. 'Tell you what
boys, I'm going to wiring the neck of
that pussyfooting spy Elliot if ever
get chanct."
He read aloud the editorial in the
Sun. After he had finished, the 9th
ers Joined him in a chorus of curses
81 always did hate a spy-and this
ones murderer too. Why don't some
one fill his hide with lead?" one of the
men wanted to know.
Redhead was sitting at the table. He
thumped a heavy fist so hard that the
tin cups jumped. Gimme a crack al
him and I'll show your
A shadow fell across the room. In
the doorway stood a newcomer. Cor
don had sensation as If lump of ice
had been drawn down his spine. Fol
the man who had just come in was Biz
Bill Macy, and he was looking at the
field agent with eyes in which amaze
ment, anger and triumph blazed.
'pm glad to death to meet up witt
you again, Mr.. Elliot" he jeered
Seems like old times ON Wilde Goose
"What you say his name isl" cut IL
the man with the newspaper.
Hasn't he introduced himself
boys" Macy answered with crue
grin. "Now, amt that modest of him
You lads are entertaining that well
known deteckative and spy, Gordon
Elliot, that renowned king of hold
ups"
The red-headed man interrupted
with howl Of rage. eff you're tellins
1t straight, Bill Macy, I'll learn him t.
spy on me-"
Elliot was sitting on one of the beds
:. He had not moved an inch since MACY
had appeared, but the brain behind his
live eyes was taking stock of the stu
J alton. Big Bill blocked the doorway
The table was in front Of the window
Unless he could fight his way out, there
was no escape for him. He wa!
trapped.
Quietly Gordon looked from one tt
another.
"Tm not spying on you. My hors,
is lame. You can see that for your
self. All 1 asked was nights lodg
ing"
"Under another name than your own
you cussed sneak"
The field agent did not understand
the fury Of the man, because he di,
not know that these miners were work
ing the claim under defective It'll,
and that they had jumped to the con
clusion that he had come to get evi
dence against them. But he knew tina
ennln FlNll Ak1n nHHA0