The spectator., 1921-02-11
Copyright. All Rights Resel9et
CHAPTER xI-continued.

die Il uoLtH olileT ways Just dS easy. But we won't let it fail. We mustn't let it fail. on your account"
 "On my account? What more ac- count mine than yours?"
 Well, you see, Harris, no doubt, has your letter slowed away some where, and it would make bad evi- dence for you. I don't think it men, tions me at all. Besides, I know q way through a pass in these mountains, and if 1t doesn't turn out right-why, I'm glad l know the way. You see, I've nothing to lose and nobody to worry over me. But, it's different with you, Hiram. You have wife and fine farm down in Manitoba, and it would be inconvenient for you to slip away without notice. So I say that on your account we mustn't let it fail"
 "You didn't say nothin' about that before. notice" said Rifles.
 You mustn't expect me to do your private thinking as well as that of the firm" Gardiner retOrted. You had the facts-why didn't you patch them together for yourself? You're in a mess now If things don't go right. But. as I said, I'm going to stick with you and see that they do 20 right"
 They rode along In silence in the gathering darkness. Had they been able to read each others minds they would have been astonished at the co- incidence of thought Gardiner was planning te make away with the mon- ey when he got out of thes building. Why should he divide with Riles- Riles, who would only hoard it up, and who had plenty of money already? Not at all. Rifles might sue him for his share, if he wanted to--and could find him, to serve notice! On the oth- er hand Ries' slow wits had quick ened to the point of perceiving that there lay before him a chance of mak- ing S2000o instead of S100o0, if he only had the nerve to strike at the strategic moment. When he got the Harrises out of the shack. bv hook or crook he would leave them and follow Gardiner. He was much more than Gardlner's match in strength and he had little fear of the revolver, provid- cd he could take his adversary una wares. If the worst came to the worst, and he could not give the Harrises the slip, he would take them with him, and they would all come upon Gardiner red-handed with the loot. Then he would explain to Harris how he. had discovered Gardiner's plot and frus- trated 1t. The idea grew upon Rifles, and he rode along in a frame of mind bordering upon cheerfulness.
 It was now quite dark. and the horses picked their steps carefully along the hill side trails. At last Gar diner drew up and pointed to heavy clump of trees. faint glmmer of light shone through if.
 That's the shack" he whispered. "'rhey have a lantern there, We bet ter get off the road and tether our horses in this coulee."
 They turned down narrow ravine with scarce room to walk single file between the branching trees. They tied the horses where the woods closed all about them, and there seemed no chance of discovery.
 Quietly. now" said Gardiner, as they stole toward the old building. Things seem to be working out as we planned. but we must make sure of every detail, so that We can change the attack if necessary"
 The two men stole up the rough road leading to the hut. The glow of the lantern came from the building, shining in long, fading wedge from the sashess window, but seemed strangely obscure about the door. As they approached this mystery was re- vealed; blanket was seen to hang over the doorway.
 That's good sign" whispered Gardiner. "One. or both of them, are sleeping. That's why they feel the cold If they had stayed awake they would have built fire and perhaps walked about outside
 They paused for a moment to listen The night was moonlesS and starry, except where n bank of clouds came drifting up from the southwest A moist breeze. smelling of soft, noun tain snow. gently stirred the trees about them. But from the shanty no sound could he discerned. They ap- preached nearer, and still nearer.
 Now. you go to the door, and I'll take the window" Gardiner ordered "Shove the blanket aside q little and size up the situation before you speak We must make sure they're there. and there alone
 Gardiner s,Naited until he saw Rifles fnmbling carefully with the blanket that hung in the doorway. Then he darted quickly to the window.
 
 While Allan sat in the little cabin he gradually became oppressed with sense of great loneliness From time to time he looked at the face of his sleeping rather, and suddenly the knowledge struck him like knife that