The Raymer enterprise., 1920-06-10
Hy
VICTOR
ROUSSEAU
Musty0fions b
Irwin Myses


like a mailman. sent them smashing to
the floor, cleared his way again, and
made for Louis. who was Just open
ing the back door. He grasped at him.
but Louis was just second too quick.
He darted through. and the door.
thrown back violently. struck Hilary
upon the forehead. The next instant
Hilary passed through the doorway In
pursuit.
The shanty which Baptiste had once
occupied had formerly been a part OF
a large structure used by the mill for
storing machinery. At the back. and
contiguous with 1t, had been the old
mill stables. The door connecting the
two places had been nailed up. but
Duval had opened 1t that morning in
the course Of his preparations for Hi
ary's advent.
Az Hilary entered the stable the
door closed behind him. and he heard
the bolt shot. The yells Of the lumber.
men grew faint. It was only then Hill.
ary realized that he had run into
trap.
The stable contained Louis, who hac
posted himself within the stall imme
diately opposite the entrance. anr
grinned at Hilary defantly. Between
the two stood Simeon Duval. a gro
tesque grin upon his scholarlIke fea-
lures. The man who had bolted the
door was Leblanc. and Black Pierre
stood beside him.
The four. executing a hanking move
ment simultaneously. advanced and
took up their position between Hilary
and the door. Nobody spoke. but
Simeon Duval took on his spectacles
quite methodicaliy. folded them in
their case, and placed II back In his
pocket. Standing with his back close
enough to the wall Of one Of the horse
boxes to be able to prevent an attack
from behind. Hilary watched the four
contemptuously. They had got him
there to fight and there was nothing
he wanted more. even against the lot
Of them. He half regretted having
drawn his cartridges. but he was con.
scious of no sense Of fear whatever.
He kept his right hand lightly against
the pocket In which the revolver lay {;
X might be useful for intimidation. or
even for self-defense.
well. we got ron. Meestair Askew," !"
sneered Simeon. "Now you listen here.
We're peaceful men an we hate trou-
bic. We don't want to hurt you II you
go away from st. Boniface. Go back
where you come from. Else we kill
you tonight. What you say? You are
alone here. no police, and every one
hate you. n we kill you every one
swear you try to kill Black Pierre. an
my brudder. an me. Now what you
sayf'
Il haven't come here to say, but to
give your brother a thrashing." an
swered Hilary scornfully. "The thrash.
ing that promised him that night at
Ste. Marie"
you spy on me In Ste. Marie an
bring revenue officers. II cost me q
hundred dollar. you damn police spy.
You 20 now. ehf What you sayr
Hilary wheeled upon Leblanc and
Pierre. "And these men-what are
they doing here? You want three men
to help you kill me, eh. Simeonr
He did not want to parley. but In
spite Of his eagerness his Judgment
told him that he was In a perilous sit
uation. He must taunt them till they
lost their heads; that would give him
IN advantage.
"You. Leblanc. want your lease
again. suppose. you thief" he said.
you. Pierre. didn't get enough of a
hiding that day I caught you cutting
down my trees. There's another com.
ing to you in a minute or two. Simeon.
II I'd been you I'd have picked some
men who could help me fight II was
afraid, instead"
He got no further. for at that mo-
ment, taking the initiative. he sprang.
His fsts dashed full into Slmeon's
face, right and left. almost together.
Simeon toppled backward; his head
struck the edge Of the stall behind
him, and he dropped moaning to the
door and lay there,