The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-10-30

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descent to the cabin.
Arriving at the plnce where he had
been tumbled unconscious in the drift
he picked up the lance from the place
where he had cast II and hastily en-
tered the barn. Passing into the har-
ness room he unbound the bowie-knife
from the handle of the rake. tossed
the handle aside and restored the
deadly blade to its shenth upon the
wall.
Then with q sweep of his hand he
removed the bandana handkerchief
which had concealed his face. after
which he took OF the fur cont of
the old prospector. Carr. and once
more stood revealed clud in his own
apparel.
Within the living room OF the cabin
Rainface. still lay sleeping upon the
floor by the fireplace. Well advanced
In years and wrinkled as the palm Of
ones hand. he slept profoundly, light
covering over him. Through the win.
dow in the lean-to out of which John
Davis had leaped In his pursuit of
the fleeing stranger strong draft Of
the cold mountain air came rushing.
creeping beneath the crack between
the loosely fitting door and floor of
of the inner room became sensibly
reduced. and as the chill fell upon
Rainface he drew his light blanket
closer in his sleep. grew quiet again
for a moment. then slowly awoke and
sat up. As his keen old eyes roved
about the room they apparently alight-
ed upon something that aroused his
suspicion. for arising silently he passed
to the door leading into the lean-to.
listened. knocked gently. then as there
was no response he turned the knob
and pushed the door ajar.
Cautiously he scanned the interior.
Nobody was there and entering he
crossed the room and peered out of
the open window. Once more moth
ing unusual met his gaze.
Without 1t was both showing and
blowing and through the flying fakes
he saw no disturbance of the snow
which spread the ground. Wondering
what had become of Davis he came
back into the living room. closing the
door Of the lean-to behind him and
approached the door of the room II
which Ethel slept. For a moment he
hesitated, then raised his hand and
knocked.
Half a mile away from the cabin
and high up In the face of clih.
screened from observation above by n
big overhang and also sheltered from
sight from the other side by lip OF
ragged rock. small cave had bur-
rowed itself into the side of the noun
tain. From a tiny ledge of rock where
1t had been placed. lantern cast Its
yellow flood of light over the stone
walls and floor of the place. Stand
Ing in the center OF the room was n
man who was smooth shaven. wrinkled
and old; the sole occupant Of this
hidden retreat; the Recluse of Mys-
terry Mountain.
As he stood painting from his ef-
forts of the run and after detaching
the rope by which he had gained this
place after escaping from Davis his
eyes CHANGED to glance from the en-
trance and to the side of the precipi
tous descent close at hand. and an In
voluntary gasp escaped him. For down
the side of rock the body Of a man
was plunging in a fall that seemed
must result In certain death.
Throwing his rope In a swift turn
about q jutting piece Of rock. he
grasped both ends firmly and began
letting himself down. Reaching a
place where he could secure footing
he released the end Of the rope that
he had been paying out. and drawing
It to him threw 1t in loose loops over
his arm. Then running to the edge
of the ledge upon which he had found
q foothold he looked down just In
time to see John bringing up In q
small avalanche Of snow.
Swiftly the Hermit acted. Again
making his rope fast he lowered him.
self to the pile of snow and approach
ing the PROSTATE form bent over H..
Faint signs Of life we're visible. and
taking q hitch around the silent figure
he climbed back to the mouth Of his
cave and began hauling the limp form
up. 1t was 4 dihcult task and few
men coulds have performed II. but the
arms Of the old Hermit Of the Noun
tain were like bars Of iron. and foot
by foot the burden arose. At the end
Of several minutes Of severe labor
the limp form was deposited upon the
floor of the cave.
Again bending over the one whom
ha hod elevated tn this Dlace the old
Hermit carefully examined him. The
heart wns still beating and the breath
OF life was parting the lips. No bones
seemed to be broken. and after brief
examination the Hermit straightened
himself m.
"He isn't going to die" he mur-
INJURED. HE Is young and tough as
n hickory knot He probably hlt his