The Raymer enterprise., 1921-06-23
CHAPTER x-continued,

Descending was far easier than the
toilsome climb through the darkness
ef the night before. There was moth.
Ing In sight 20 far as the mouth Of the
ravins where II opened into the main
valley. Beyond that be could per-
ceive moving figures. and occasionally
hear the sound Of q distant voice. It
was clearly evident to his mind that
something unusual must have oc-
cuned-some news of disaster or ap-
preaching dange-to arouse such *.
citement among the citizens Of the
Hole; and he also felt convinced that
this more important thing had for the
time being. at least, rendered his own
escape . matter Of small consldera-
ten. II any attempt had been made
- tYail 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 be studied
the outlines. Could she be there still7
Was Macklin with herr or had she
been left there under guard Of some Of
his Indian allies7
II she was there, and not too &C.
curely guarded, II might be possible
for him alone to effect hS rescue. The
inspiration to make the attempt ap-
pealed to him strongly. II he only
could get her away unobserved as far
as that cave, he believed It possible to
follow the trail to the summit. The
project appeared simple enough, as he
turned II thus over In his mind; ut
least II surely could do no harm for
him to determine definitely II the lady
stIli remained imprisoned there. He
weuld venture far enough to assure
himse1 that this must be the fact.
Shelby was sufnciently conscious Of
danger to use every precaution; the
training Of years came to his aid. The
rocky banks Of the stream were suf-
nciently high to conceal his advance.
and the creek curved about so as to
approach the hut within q few yards.
Assured that the water would thus
conceal his tran. he crept across the
narrow open space. and lowered him.
self over the bank. crouchlng knee
deep In the cold stream, safely under
cover. Thus protected he waded slow
~ downward. He saw no evidence Of
any guard. and became convinced the
cabin also was deserted; that II this
was actually the place where Olga
had been confined on arrival, she had
since been removed elsewhere.
As he drew nearer the place appeared
I'D, rather dIlapidated and long desert
I'd, 4 shack scarcely fit for human habl-
tation any longer. The one window was
boarded up, and the patched roof Of
the lean.to sagged dismally. This was
certainly not the place; no one appar-
entity had lived there for many year.
Still. now he had ventured so much, 1t
might be well to take look inside.
Assuredly no harm could be done by
his searching the rooms. and this
would require only moment or two.
he drew himself up into the weeds,
and wiggled his way forward until he
obtained a full view OF the door. 1t
was tightly closed. but unguarded
without. Indeed his search revealed
no sign that the hut had been visited
for wnnths, until he came within a
yard or two Of the long step before
the entrance; then he suddenly en-
.countered footprints In the softer
sfOund. and was able to distinguish
vhere seine one--more than one, he
uAousht- had pushed a passage
through the surrounding tangle Of
weeds. Hs studied these signs intent
b -. s--~-,ed nothing resembling