Gunnison news-champion., 1921-02-11
III. India, nIiirsr

II Sd. WIS there. and not too So
curly guarded. IL might he possible
for him aloni to effect her rescue. The
Inspiration 20 make the attempt ap-
psaied 10 him sfrongiy. II he only
could get hsr away unsbserved as far
as that cave. hs believed u possible 10
foil0S the trail TO the summit The
proj.ct APPEARED staple enough. as be
turned IL thus over In his mind. At
least u surely could DO no harm for
him to dster1uIne definitely II the lady
stlH remained imprisoned there. lie
would venture far enough 70 assure
himself that this mus; be the fact.
shelby was sufficiently oun~c!o1s of
danger 20 use every precaution: the
training Of years came 10 his aid. III"
rocky hanks of the strsam were suf-
ariently hish 20 conceal his adyanrs,
and the creek curved about 50 n TO
spprcach the hut within few yards
Assured that the water would 'hus
conceal his trafl. he erepi across the
narrow open space. and low-:vd him
self over the bank. croI-niu- knee
deep in the cold streaT, safely under
cover. Thus protected he wate-t slow
Is downward. lie saw no evidence ~
any guard. and became cuuvinc,Si the
cabin also was deserted; that . this
was actually the place where olsa
had been confined on arrival she haf
since been removed elsewhere.
As h. drew nearer the place APPEARED
old. rather dilapldnted and long desert
ed. a shack scarcely n, FOR human hahi-
tation any longer. The one window was
boarded up. and the patched roof OF
the iean-to saEE-d dismally. This was
certainly not the place; no on" appar-
emily had lived there for many n year.
still. now he had ventured 50 much 1t
might be well TO take a look inside.
Assuredly no harm could be don. by
MS searching the rooms. mad this
would require only moment or two.
He drew himself up into the weeds.
and wiggied his way forward until he
obtained n full view OF The door. u
was tightly closed. but ungunrded
without. Indeed his search revealed
no sign that the hut had been visited
loE uIllll lf ahlli' NNAlAAAi -
yard or two OF the long step before
the entrance: then he suddenly en-
countered footprints In the softer
ground, and was able t6 distinguish
where some one-more than one. he
thought--had pushed a passage
through the surrounding tangle Of
weeds. He studied these signs intent
woman's shoe. The moccaSn-shod
feet, however. had passed over the
ground again and again. and he even
believed. one. and perhaps more. Of
the wearers had sat on the doorstep
hnpatiently stamping their feet To
his judgment the place had indeed
been under guard. and that recently
the marks were comparatively fresh
and cleancut, as though made within
few hours.
Then. In all probability, this had
oeen the prison where his wife was
held. He had stumbled upon II. Here.
undoubtedly, was the very spot where
she had been confined under guard
during the past night. yet she certain
ly was not there now. The deserted
appearance of the place WAS proof
positive that she had been taken. else
where. Voices sounded on toward the
broader expanse OF valley. but too far
away TO present danger: even as he
stood cautiously up. and looked out
over the tops OF the weeds he could
see nothing to create alarm. He was
alone. unseen, unsupported. and Yield
ed to the desire to learn what was
within the hut. She might have left
some message. some sign of her pres
snce, which would prove clue.
The outer door was secured merely
by Q wooden latch. and apened easi!y
TO his touch. Afraln lest soue IN
known eye might mark his movements.
Shelby giided quickly In through the
narrow opening. and instantly pressed
the door shut behind him. He was in
almost total darkness, the only light
boards at the single window. He felt
his way blindly across the room,
guided by this dim ray. and, discover
ing one Of the boards somewhat
loosened, managed TO wrench II free.
thus permitting the gray daylight TO
gain entrance. This gave him a dim
view OF the interior. nearly square,
room, inexpressibly dirty, and without
furniture. except rough bench thrust
back against one wall.
Straight across from where he stood
some black object lay upon the floor,
so indistinct In its outlines he could
not, in that faint light. determine
what II might be--a pile of rags. per-
haps, or shapeless heap Of rubbish.
He stepped forward, curious to learn
its nature, yet stopped suddenly. star
ing down In speechless horror. He was
beside the bodies OF two men. both
cenh. gripped together, stiffened in
the very attitude with which death