The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-04


Hawk and Spider. turning in their
saddles, saw the upward leap of flames
and the family twinkling sparks,
laughing at the sight.
"That's good-by for Davis, and be
damned to him." said Morgan as they
again urged their horses on.
All but overcome by the exertion Of
her furious ride. the nervous suspense
she had endured while In the saddle
and the shock which had nearly fioOred
her at sight of Johns deadly peril,
Ethel collapsed weakly against. the
door jamb In the midst of the down
pour of sparks and dust. Rainface.
rushing past her. fell upon Davis. and
the girl almost Immediately recover
ing her strength went to his assist
ance. Together they dragged the still
prostrated one to the cool air with
cut and laid him upon the grass, find
ing that save for the fact that he was
so stiffened from his bonds that he
was practically unable to move he
was uninjured.
"Where are Morgan and Bellasf"
demanded Ethel. Davis shook his
head.
'T don't know, Ethel. In fact,
cannot explain It. suppose that das-
tardly Hermit has been at work
again." The girls head shook.
~ do not believe It," was her an-
swer. Taking his hand she seated
herself beside him as she told him Of
the reading Of the Fable by old Aesop.
Laughing lightly at her suspicious and
telling her that she was silly to be-
lieve such things, he added that 1t at
least would do no harm for them to
go to the station and make inquiries.
At once she assented.
"Yes. But I am not going to leave
you again. shall go with you"
me, too" added Rainface.
With Davis mounted upon the horse
of Rainface, Ethel upon hers and the
Indian looping along in their rear. the
trio gained the station some two hours
later. Going to the agent they began
making their inquiries.
"Yes," responded the latter. 1.-TWO
men such as you describe took the
7:2O express for Frisco. The next
train to leave here is the 10 80. which
arrives there at 4 p. M
Davis started to write . telegram.
but finally listening to the arguments
Of Ethel, desisted.
"It would be much better to sur
prise them," she said.
~Have your own, way was the
good+natured reply. and tearing mp the
message they turned their stepa
toward the little western town across
the track. Ethel pointed to q small
but we'll stocked general store such
as are found in towns Of this char
acter.
II would like to make a few pur-
chases before we depart" she said,
and John Immediately acquiescing she
started upon her errnnd. Ten-thirty
found them boarding the Frisco train.
Morgan and Bellas debarking from
their coach at San Francisco. crossed
the platform arm in arm. The former
was speaking.
"Tn engage rooms for us at the
Mackenzie. You wait around here un-
It'll the next train arrives. II he es-
capped, he will be upon It sure. And ]
want to know. You might have use
for some money. 20 here 1t Is. When
you report to me later, ask for Mr..
Hawk" Handing the Spider a big
roll of bills he departed, and . short
time later engaged rooms at the hotel
mentioned. @ -ia = 3. = -
Left behind on guard and stroll.
ling aimlessly about, the Spider was
hailed by q taxi cab driver, and ap-
preaching him recognized q pal Of old.
Drawing the latter beyond the ear
shot ef others the Spider spoke In =
whisper.
you've done some good trieks fos
me in the past. Bill. and want to