The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-08-25


the old man. II guess they amt from
these parts, from the looks and the
ways of EN-"
"There's new lot come up from
Yorkton lately. Maybe they shifted
these to the Pas when they sent some
of the Pas men on to Clayton" Wilton
reflected. He turned to Molly. "Any-
way, We'll start bright and early" he
said. ~ suppose we'll have to have
those fellows company as fer as Clay
ton. But wonder" He 5aused. II
wonder whether Joe would forgive me
for leaving him In the hands of
strangers for a while, If 1t were for
Kitty?" he mused.
The two policemen came in, looking
surly and uncommunicative as ever.
After hurried meal, ca zen almost in
silence, Molly said goodnight to VIII
ton and went into the caretaker's
room. As the door closed behind her
Wilton saw the two men look after
her. The constable whispered some
thing to the sergeant, and both
chuckled.
Wilton's blood was boiling, but he
controlled himself. This was for Kitty,
and his debt to Joe.
The policemen prepared to lie down.
Andersen was already snoring upon
the floor. The half-breeds, however
mad not come in, and Wilton, going to
the stables, found them curled up
among the huskies.
"You fellows had better come into
the shack" he said, unless you want
TO freeze"
Papillon refused. "Tuem d-n dogs
will fight each other" he said, "if we
don't stay here"
"Just as you like" said Wilton.
1t was not unusual for rival teams
of huskies to attack each other, but
such antipathy generally developed
from the first, and the dogs seemed
contented enough. He went back to
the shack and lay down. turning over
in his mind what he was projecting,
hut he was utterly worn out, and fell
asleep before he was aware of it.
When he opened his eyes 1t was al
ready dawn. The policemen were
dressed and standing outside the
shack, conversing In low tones. An
dersen was peeling potatoes for break
fast. Wilton heard Molly moving with
in the room, and his doubts fell from
ness Of the two men; he had had vague
suspicious not justified in fact. He
determined to put his proposal to
them.
He walked over to the sergeant, who
was just re-entering the shack with
his companion.
II suppose you fellows are thinking
of starting at once, after breakfast"
)he suggested.
The sergeant looked him up and
down. "That's about the size Of IT,
he growled. Got any objection?%
Wilton resolutely ignored the af-
front. ~
1--WE got important business in Clay
ton, affecting Mr. Bostock's interests"
he said. "It is very important that his
death should not be known there until
midday tomorrow"
The constable, who was leaning
against the door-post, chewing the end
Of a twig, started slightly. Peters
fixed Wilton with his crooked stare.
"Rather nervy thing to propose
Mr.. Carruthers !" he sneered.
Maybe but It's a business matter
affecting Mr.. Bostock's wife," said VIII
ton, loathing himself for making the
request, but nerving himself to do so
by the thought Of Kitty. "If the news
Of his death reaches Clayton before
the time I've mentioned, some people
who are antagonistic to Mr.. Bostock's
interests will jump at the chance to
turn II to account. 1t will mean
heavy loss to Mrs. Bostock. You've
come long way, and you could quite
reasonably wait till afternoon on ac
count of the dogs. That will bring you
in before noon tomorrow. And-if you
can see your way to 1t. you two won't
be the losers"
The sergeant eyed him more .nso-
lently than ever. $50 that's the pro-
gram, Is it?" he answered. "Well, Keep
your mind easy. The news won't be
known in Clayton tonight. nor tomor-
row neither. We amt going to Clay
ton"
you're not, eh7 Then where the
devil are you going?" cried Wilton,
nettled almost beyond endurance at
the mans demeanor.
"We're taking Joe Bostock's body
back to the Pas" retorted the SER
geant. "That's what we come here
for"
"The Pasf This isn't In the Pes
Jurisdiction I"
"It amt, eh1 Perhaps It's In yours,
then?"
"See here" cried Wilton IN exas
peration,. Clayton has Its own police
detachment. as you know perfectly
well. Your route doesn't lie in this
direction. Joe Bostock's homes there.
He's going to he buried there. And his
body isn't going to be dragged here
and there about the country by q
couple Of fool policemen. TIL make
things pretty warm for you n you try
my game like that"