Belt Valley times., 1922-09-21
CHAPTER XIV


The horses. released during the fire
were grazing along the edge; the.
were wary, however, and would no
let themselves be approached. Fo
some minutes the men made fruitlesl
efforts to surround them.
However, Wilton managed to catci
the name OF big draught-beasi
which had been in the front row OF
the grading yokes and. despite It's
clumsy appearance. had taken the sad
die and had tolerable action.
But hardly had he made sure OF II
by grasp on the name and upper lip
than the remainder, snorting and
fiourishing their heels, dashed through
the Gordon and galloped full speed to-
ward the lake.
wen be with you In a minute, Mr..
Carruthersl" shouted one of the men
as they went in pursuit.
But Wilton, without answering, had
sprung on the beasts back and, lean
ing forward, caught the broken halter
and guided II across the swamp He
had no doubt that the outlaws who had
set the fire were responsible for Mol
ly's abduction and, II the trail led up
TO Bowyer. as he was sure 1t would,
God help Bowyef
In a couple of minutes he had put
on the saddle and tautened the girth,
bridled the animal and was riding hard
along the southwark trail, unarmed.
Meanwhile the rest of the party
spent a fruitless half-hour trying to
catch horses. At length, after con-
sultatIon, they hurried back to the
camp. collected few more Canadians
and Americans. and started out after
Wilton. leaving a half-dozen TO keep
the workmen In check.
In the shack Tonguay stared apa-
thetically at Andersen. who sat with
the revolver In his hand, keeping
watch over his captive.
You t'ink | kill dat feller. eh7" he
demanded after a while.
II dunno, my friend" answered An
dersen. ''If you did, ! guess you'l
swing for 1t, all right"
"See herel Jim Hackett tole me to
come here an tell de men dere's money
In de safe. an dey're fools TO be
worked like dogs and den be laid off
because de company's busted. OATS
all | know. tole dem TO get der pay
what was coming to dem"
"Pos-seebly," said Andersen. "You |
was fool to do II, though. That |
storys for the police; II ain't for me.
You can tell the inspector when he
gets here"
''See here You let me got" yelled
Tonguay. Il didn't do noting. what
for you arrest met"
"Boss's ORDERS" said Andersen,
grufrly. "That1l be enough. Set down
like good feller, now"
"You lie tell you didn't do datl"
screamed Tonguay, sinking back into
his chair and shuddering.
They watched each other for some
1me. Ii was beginning to grow light.
Suddenly the trample OF horses was
heard outside. Then Inspector Qualn
appeared at the door of the shack, ac-
companled by four mounted consta-
bles.
HAD considerable trouble, eh5" he
said. dismounting and casting glance
about him at the burned-out buildings
and the still burning sheds
THAT fire was set by enemies of
the Missatibi," shouted one of the en-
gineers. And we've got one OF the
men In therer' He pointed toward the
shack.
Quain turned to his men, who were
awaiting the order to dIsmount.
"Round up those men In their bunk
houses and keep the lot of 'em under
guard =. he said. pointing toward the
groups OF laborers that had gathered
about the horses.
The constables drove the Hunkies
back toward their quarters. "Two of
you'll be enoughl" shouted Quain after
them. "The other two-Beckett and
James-will dlsmount and rest their
horses. I'll want you chaps"
you've had some trouble" said
Qualn TO Andersen.
"Why, this amt trouble, inspector"
answered the Swede "You yust look
inside that room. | guess IL amt the
worst. what | told you already
Qualn strode to the door of Wilton's
bedroom. uttered sharp exclamation
and bent over the body of Jules. He
came back quickly.
"Who killed that Indian?" he asked.
'Lee Chambers. | guess"
"TeIl me what you know"
..Why, all l know Is he done some
crooked work on the trestling and
beat 1t out OF camp before Mr.. Car
rutbers had time to fire him. Last
night he came back after the fire.
which I guess that feller there knows
about"
Il tell you don know not'ing"
yelled Tonguay. who seemed In the ex-
tremIty Of panic.
mir. Carruthers said Mr.. Chambers
killed jules there and got into the
safe dunno no more than that.
But" II
Suddenly. with frenzIed scream,
Tcneuay leaped from his chair for the
oocr again. Andersen was just quick