Evening journal., 1922-10-25
CHAPTER II.


al all. only spreading outerop
rock under dying leaves.
Ahead OF him. somewhere in dark
ness--but how far he did nc
know-Qulntana and his people wer
moving swiftly on Clinch's Dump.
Il may have been an hour later
two hours, perhaps--when from "a
ahead in the forest came a sound
the faint eiink Of a shod heel o
rock.
Now, Smith unslung his pacl
placed It between two rocks wher
laurel grew.
Siazar's red bandanna was sti
wet but he tied It across his face
leaving his eyes exposed. The dea,
mans hat fitted him. HIS own ha
and the extra torch he dropped int
his basket-paok.
Ready, now. he moved swift.
forward. trailing his ride. And yer,
soon II became plain to him tina
the people ahead we're moving will
out much caution, evidently fearing
no unfriendly ear or eye in that SEQ
ton OF the wilderness.
40 keep IN touch with them Smith
fastened his pace until he drew near
enough to hear the low murmur OF
the;r voices.
They were travelling in single Ale;
he had a glimpse OF them against
thu ghostly radiance ahead. Indeed,
SO, near had he approached that he
cosald hear the heavy, labored breath
ing, of the last man in the ile--somo
laggard who dragged his feet, plod-
ditls on doggedly. painting, mutter-
ing. Probably the man was sard.
Already the forest in front was in
vaded by the misty radiance from
ths clearing. Through the trees star
light glimmered on water The per-
fuTne Of the open land grew in the
night air--the scent OF dew-wst
gr1ass, the smell OF stiIl water and
ofisedgy shores.
Tying fiat behind a rotting log.
Smith could see them all now
spectral shapes against the light.
There wore five Of them at the for
1esrs edge.
lThey seemed to know what was 70
bs,done and how TO do Il. Two went
dawn among the forms and stunted
willows toward the west shore Of
the pond; two sheered OF to the
southwest. shoulder deep IN black
berry and sumac The fifth man
waited for a while. then ran down
acfoss the open pasture.
Scarcely had he started when
srHith gllded TO the woods edge, !
crouched. and looked down.
Below stood Clinch's Dump, plain /
IN the starlight, every window dark. /
To the west the barn loomed. huge |
wi1h It's ramshackie outbuiIdings |
struggling toward the lake.
Straight down the slope toward I
the barn ran the fifth man OF ouin- /
taia's gang, and disappeared among /
the outbuiidings.
Smith crouched. listened, search
eda,the starlight with intent eyes.
and waited.
Until something happened he
could not solve the problem before
HIN. He could be OF no use 10 Eve
Strayer and 20 Stornnont until he
fosnd out what Quintana was going
70 do.
BE could be OF little use anyway
unless he got into the house. where
tTe rifles might hold out against
nve.
There was no use in trying to get
10 Ghost Lake for assistance. He
'eR that whatever was about to hap
would come with a rush. It
would be all over before he had
gors five minutes. NO; the only
thing 70 do was 20 stay where he
vss
As for his pledge to the Rtt1e
Grand Duchess that was always in
his mind. Sooner or later some
how ne was going to make good his
pledge
Re knew that oulntans and his
gang were here to find the Flaming
1erel
Had ne not encountered ouin-
tara. his own errsnd had been the
same. For Smith had started for
clfnch's prepared 10 reveal himself
e nstornont. and then. masked TO
the eyes--to save Eve from
brAken heart. and ciinch from States
Prtzon--he had meant 70 rob the
sifa AZ pistol point.
u was the only way TO save
Cllhch; the only way 10 save the
prNe OF this biindiy loyal girl. For
the, arrest Of Cllnch meant ruin 20
both and Smith realized Il thor
oughiy.
A slight sound from enc Of the
ouf1houges--a sort OF wsgon-shed-
sttracted his attention. Through the
frast-blighted rag-weeds he peered
Intently, Listening.
After a few moments G. faint glow
rppsared IN the shed. There was a
srarjciing noise. The glow grew
tinker.
%. CHAPTER Ill
Inside CIincll's house Eve awoke
P1th start. Her ears were flied
nth a strange rushing, cracking
'ol&e. rosy glare danced and
+ COX outside her windows,
Tho girl tore open her Bedroom
oor "Jsck1r shs-cr.sd in terrified
Ole. Tho barns on fire."
GOOD Cod" he said, my
offet"
Hs had already sprung from his
hair outside her door, Now he
~ lsTnstAirs. and shs heard bolt