The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-01-07
CHAPTER x.--csntInusd.


Descending was far easier than the
toilsolne climb through the darkness
OF the night before. There was moth
Ing IN sight SO far as tle mouth of the
rnyine where II opened into the main
valley. Beyond that he could per-
ceiye moving figures, and occasionally
hear the sound Of distant voice. X
was clearly evident TO his mind that
something unusual must have oc.
Cured some news OF disaster or APP
preaching aanger--to arouse such ex-
element among the citizens of the
Hole; and he also felt convinced that
this more important thing had for the
time being, nj least, rendered his own
escape matter Of small cOnsldera-
ton, II any attempt had been made
TO trail him, this effort had certainly
already been abandoned AS he leaned
forth from his hiding place he saw,
scarcely hundred yards away, the
LOG walls Of that hut, concealed among
THE trees which he had dimly noted
from the crag above. This was prob
ably where Olga had been confined.
His heart beat rapidly as he studied
the outlines. Could she be there stilli
Was Mncklin with herr or had she
been left there under guard of some of
HIS Indian allles7
II she was there, and not too Sc
eureiy guarded. II might be possible
for him alone TO effect her rescue. The
Inspiration to make the attempt mp
pealed to him strongly. II he only
could get her away unobserved MS far
as that cave. he believed 1t possible to
follow the traii 70 the summit The
project appeared simple enough. as he
turned Ii thus over IA his mind; at
least II surely could do no harm for
him 10 determine definitely II the lady
stiil remained imprisoned there, lie
would venture far enough TO assure
himself That this must be the fitct,
shelby was sufficiently conscious OF
danger TO use every precautlon; the
training Of years came 10 his aid, The
rocky banks of the stream were suf-
Recently high to conceal his advance.
and the creek curved about so as tn
approach the hut Within few yards
Assured that the water would thus
CONCEAL his trail. he crept across the
narrow open space and lowered him
self over the bank crouehihg knee
deep IN the cold stream. safely under
royer Thus protected he waded slew
~ downward. lie saw no evidence Of
any guard. and became convinced the
cabin also was deserted TINT Il this
was actually the place whore Olga
had been confined on arrival, she had
STAGE been removed elsewhere.
As he drew nearer the place appeared
old, rather dllapldated and long desert
ed. shack scarcely III for human habi-
tatl0u any longe: The one window wus
boarded up. aud De patched roof OF
the lean-to sagged slismnily. This was
certainly not tbs place: no one appar-
emily had lived there for many year.
sim now be had ventufed 50 such. Il
a!ght De well TO take q look inside
Assnredly no harm could be done by
his searching the roons aud this
would require only a moment or two.
lie drew himself Up Into the weeds,
nnd wlggled his way forward until he
obtained fun view OF the door. II
was tightly closed. but unguarded
without. Indeed his search revealed
no sign that the hut had beeu visited
for months. until he came within d
yard or two Of the long step before
she entrance; then he suddenly en-
eountcred footprints in the softer
ground. and was able TO distinguish
where some Ole -more than one. ht
thought pushed passage
through fhe surrounding tangie Of
weeds. He studied these signs intent