The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-01-22

overhaul 1t. Davis, You bring Ethel
uD to the mine after breakfast. We
will leave about gunup, while she II
having her beauty sleep." He left the
room and passed into the darkness.
where the Spider was awaiting him.
"Any orders for tonightf" inquired
the latter. The Hawk nesatiyed.
.Nothing doing. There are too many
in the cabin. But we'll have another
try tomorrow" Az Bellas disappeared.
Morgan re-entered the house.
II was decided that the engineers
should take Ethel's old room and that
the girl should use the spare bed in
the chamber Of Bridget. Tho other
men were to occupy the lean-to and
harness room. with the exception Of
Morgan and John. who decided to bed
themselves down In front Of the dre-'
place. This settled. they bade each
other goodnight and retired.
Lying awake before the fireplace,
Morgan glared evilly at his sleeping
companion. one hand upon his knife.
"The credulous foolr he sneered.
.'-How easy it would be-" He un-
sheathed the blade and ran his thumb
along its keen edge. then deciding
that It would be wiser to await an
other day, he thrust the weapon back
into place, and rolling upon his side,
composed himself to sleep.
They were upon their feet with the
hrst break Of day. and having finished
breakfast, Morgan, the Spider. the
mine boss, Blackie, the assayef
and the rest Of the men mounted their
horses. John. standing in the doorway,
waved them an adieu.
sGiss Ethel and / will Join You
presently" he called. Morgan. shout
ing back that there was no necessity
for their hurrying. turned aside to the
Spider.
II believe If we 90 straight up the
mountain this way, We will save 4 mile
or two ON our way to the mine," said
he. and, as the other man nodded his
acquiescence. they turned aside from
the trail and followed by the rest went
clambering on. A mile farther up they
reached a shack which was built on
the mountainside over a forty-five de
gree slope. which ended in q cliff, the
latter falling into q deep valley. The
Hawk drew rein.
"Never saw that shack BEFORE" he
said. The Spider laughed.
Neither did /, for the simple rea-
son that never came this way before. /"
Together they passed the hut. but
later encountering q small mountain
stream that crossed their path. they at
once urged their mounts into 1t up
to their bellies. The horses stopped
and began to drink.
AZ A0rgan's animal lowered its head
the man, feeling . mite thirsty also.
removed his hat and bent forward to
scoop up brimful. This brought his
face nearly to q level with the clear
mountain stream. and a. he looked
down through the transparent water
he caught sight Of something glitter.
ing and glowing on the pebbles below.
With q yell. he arose in his stirrups,
one finger pointing downward.
'Wade in there. one Of you men. and
zee what you fnd," he commanded. and
a moment later q miner stood waist
deep in the stream. Reaching down at
the point indicated by his superior, tho
AAuh . AhBGA6 CanlC al COnk6Cl Win kAO
object sought. and throwing 1t over his
shoulder he waded to the bank. At
their feet he tossed a torn gunny sack
partially filled with ingots Of gold
one Of the sacks borne from the room
Of the girl by the hermit as she slept.
For q moment the men gathered
about the bars Of virgin metal, star
ing at it as though transnxed. Fol-
lowed q wild scramble into the
creek in search of more. Az they
emerged, dripping, Morgan turned upon
them with laugh.
"Boys, this isn't a circumstance to
what the mine will give us II we can
only get rid Of" Suddenly he
stopped. aware that the eyes Of the as
sayer. the only honest man in the out
At, were fixed upon him in wonder
ment.
'f we can only get rid of the bad
luck which has pursued u.s." he I'm
ished lamely. Meanwhile, we had
better take this find back to that shack
we Just passed and store 1t there"
As Ethel and John were making
their preparations to leave for the
mine. the girl took John by the hand
and looked earnestly into his face.
IAN my fsaSs and susptclons cf Hers
gan have returned with redoubled
force. You are unwilling to think
evil Of him, but for my sake, watch
him. Don't trust him hereafter. beg
Of you. feel 1t here" Her hand
stole over her heart. Somewhat wor-
ried, the man drew her to him.
"Your persistence weakens my con-
ndence somewhat. II he was traitor.
Il would explain-but cannot believe
It Yet, for your sake, will be on
my guard and watch him. 0ood-by I"
You are not going to the mine with
mt ma 2, aha AakAd nllicklx Hn ah00k