The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-18

'By Holy silva swear" he said
impressively.
Heads bowed upon their breasts, all
stood in silent prayer to the image.
John and hij party in the hotel, hav-
ing finished their refreshments. began
debating a. to what was next to be
done. Morgan raised his hand for 81
lence.
listen, friends. The day Is yet
young and Spider and will look after
the hirin. Of q gang of men. II you
will 60 over to Caldwell. Brace 4 Co.'s
works on Water street and see about
getting a lot Of mining machinery
which they are advertising for sale
here is a list Of what VIC will need
Taking the newspaper clipping from
the others hand John glanced 1t over.
'They say to apply between the
hours Of II 90 and 12 100 o'clock, while
It is only 8 80 now. will be there on
time. and If the stuff is o. X. TIL buy
1t and have 1t shipped at once" Nor
gan nodded.
"Good. Bellas and I will start in now
hiring the men. We will meet you here
this afternoon and have little fur
ther conference" Wishing Davis good
luck In the purchasing Of the machin-
cry, they left the room. No sooner had
the door closed behind them than the
girl turned to her lover.
Their explanation was plausible
enough. but somehow It did not satisfy
me-" she said earnestly. "John, fear
those men,"
''Me, too. Them bad medicine" !" grunt-
ed the cid Indian. John laughed light.
~.
"Uniess I actually see Morgan doing
something dastardly and treacherous,
I am going to refuse to believe that he
Is crooked. Remember that he has
been attacked as well as me. Now We
will take q little stroll around town
and let you look In the windows, after
which I'll 20 over to Caldwell, Brace
4 Co.'s for an hour or 30. Rainface
will stay around and keep watch over
you, and tomorrow we will all head for
the big hills again"
sWhere I would rather be than in
any city ON earth" laughed the girl.
N a corner Of the hotel bar the
Hawk and Spider were talking togeth-
er. Morgan was speaking.
"we've got to make hay today. for
We cannot bluff this thing much long.
a.. In spite Of her pleasant manner.
I know Ethel sdspects us and % does
that old Indian devil. IN 20 over to
Alamac Island and Ax things there.
Davis WIN be sufe 10 take Q taxicab
to CAldwell, Brace q Cos place. and
yoa zee to It that hs gets oes-eyed
Bafney's cab. We've got the goods on
barney. and he VIII - what ws ~
II We pay him for the cab and slip
him hundred on the ade. And Dcab-
0y Jake's truck win ~ he besiness
for smother hundred. n Davis escapes
hat combination, there h the lumber.
yard on the wharf and the motor boat
besides. Join me - soon ~ you can at
he island. I've got . string O TIE
Afsmen there. Oid Ram Chundsr faif-
ed, curse him, but We must not"
With this understanding they parted.
Morgan going In one direction and the
Spider In search Of one-eyed Barney.
the rascally driver of the closed cab, In
another. Presently fading his man sit
ting in his machine besade the curb.
the Spider briefly outlined his plan.
Fifteen minutes later the Spider had
gone through the same Transaction
with Jake, the big truck driver Of
heavy motor vehicle This done he
pursued his way.
John and Ethel. having finished their
stroll about the streets, returned to tho
hotel for q cup Of tea before DAVIS
started for the frm Of Caldwell. Brace
Z Co. Rainface, sitting In corner.
watched the lovers drinking from tho
same cup, and thin grin cracked his
old face.
.sWaugh! Heap much love making"
he muttered.
With a laugh John arose and seizing
Rainface by the arms marched him to
a window and commanded him to keep
his eyes fastened across the street un-
til he was told to face about. Then re-
turning to the girl he took her In MS
arms and kissed her In the midst OF
this knock sounded at the door. and
as John stepped quickly back the In
dian turned about. still grinning at his
thought Of love making. Davis. open
ing the door, found himself confronted
by a bell boy.
1.-THE cab ordered by Mr.. Morgan for
you is waiting, SIR" said the youth
John looked at his watch. It register
ed II 100 O'Clock, and with a nod to
the messenger. he picked up his hat.
Quickly the girl was at his side. hef
hand upon his arm. Her eyes and
voice were pleading. fear-nlled.
"Please do not take that cab. dear"
His reply was q laugh. followed BY
anotheR Kiss. 5.=5sis-