The Lamar register., 1922-07-19

dinner was almost like a picnic. BY
evening the railhead had come into
sight in the distance. the empty camp
the long sheds with the miscellany OF
supplies, the locomotive shops, and the
great ballast pits beside the line.
As the dogs climbed the last hill
there came yelping from the cleared
way behind them. Looking back. they
perceived sled approaching. Two
men walked beside 1t. and the dogs
sighting WiltOn's. yelped In challenge
which was taken up In an outburst "r
answering growls.
The sled drew in toward them. and
the men resolved themselves into
sergeant and constable Of the mount
ed police. Wilton had stopped hi.
dogs, but the newcomers did not halt,
and went on. with curt greetings
toward the cache.
little surprised at their abruptness,
Wilton let the sled precede his sleigh
AS the dogs were eager for their meal,
he sent Papillon ahead with them, and
followed more leisurely with Molly.
They arrived at the cache a few min
utes after the half to find the
two policemen waiting for them, while
the two men were embarrassing the
dogs Andersen. the old Swedish care.
taker. was standing beside Joe's coffin
with Il stunned look on his face. The
policemen were not OF prepossessinr
appearance The elder man, the ser
geant, was about forty years OF age
He had fair hair. dropping mustache.
a slight cast in one eye. and an eH-
preston OF sullen insolence. His com
panion. IA short, stocky young fellow.
looked hardly less surly and evidently
III at ease.
Evening Mr.. Carruthers," said the
sergeant bruskly. I'm sergeant Pc
tiers. and this is Constable Myers.
That's Joe Bostock's body you're bring
ing in. ! guess"
Wilton was staggered. Yes. lt's
Joe" he said. gulping. How did you
get the newsf"
The policemen exchanged glances
Peters smiled scornfully under his
long mustache. IT'S known, all right.
It's our job TO know them things" he
answered I'm taking charge OF 1t
to bring II In for the inquest"
But you are not from Clayton" said
Wilton, who, of course knew all the
members Of the small force OF polio.
that was stationed there.
Were from the Pas" answered the
sergeant shortly.
From the Pasi That explained how
the sled had come along the road be-
hind him. Bowyer must have discov'
cred the fact of Joe's death In some
manner. and had probably spread thu
news. Wilton surmised that Jules
Halfhead had somehow managed to
Indicate the fact to him.
The constable solved his problem.
'we was on patrol" he vouchsafed.
"And we met parties who told us
about Joe Bostock having met with an
accident. and that you was bringing
him In"
'''rhatll be ALL |" snapped the ser.
geant, looking sngriiy at Myers. who
subsidized promptly. II guess this
young woman IL Molly McDonaldr' he
continued.
This lady is Miss Mcdonald" said
wilton angriiy. and you'll keep a civil
tongue in your head. sergeant"
Peters looked him up and down inso-
lently. and for a moment or two the
men faced each other in an aggressive
attitude. Then the sergeant, sneertng
swung on his heel. Wilton did not
know what TO make of his attitude. for
the police were always friendly.
Andersen's room was placed at Mol
iy's disposal. and after Wilton had
seen TO her comfort he went outside
the shack.
The dogs were yelping and snarling
over their fish from the cache. Pa
pillon had just finished feeding them.
and Wilton thought Peters had been
speaking to him. Probably the SER
geant was trying to obtain informa-
tion.
The Swede came up to Wilton. hold
ing u pan Of sizzling brown potatoes.
81 can't believe II. Mr.. Carruthers,"
he said. "Only last week he passed
through here with you. Gosh. he was
a fine man. Joe vast How did II hap
pen? And you're hurt yourself sir"
he continued. slancing at Wilton's arm.
Joe was shot at my side In the
woods. The same bullet hit me. I
don't know who fired the shot. But
I'm going TO know" said Wilton
grimly.