The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-15
CHAPTER TX
The Wolf Mans Strategy


In the still hour Of midnight he
carried the equipment down to the
canoe that Beatrice had left the eve
ming before. Then. he drew from his
pocket a sheet of paper and wrote
carefully, long time, with a pencil.
Folding his letter carefully, he
sealed it with tallow. Then, wrap
ping one of his blankets about him,
he prepared to wait for the dawn.
Just before eight he saw her come.
Her voice rang clear and sweet
through the hushed depths as she
called a greeting.
Go back ana get your heavy coat"
he commanded. I've already been
stiff"
She smiled into his eyes. but she
came of a breed of women that had
learned obedience TO men, and she i'm
mediately turned. But Ben had build
ed better than he thought. His eyes
were no longer on her radiant face.
They had dropped to the pistol, in
Its holster, that she carried in her
hands, preparatory TO strapping It
about her waist. This pistol and
small package. the contents Of which
he did not know, were the only equip
ment she had.
She laid down the things and in
moment the thickets had hidden
her. Swiftly Ben reached for the
gun. and for a few speeding seconds
his fingers worked at its mechanism.
For goodness sake, Mr.. Darby"
the girl cried. What have you got
in this boat She pointed TO the
pile Of supplies. covered by the
blankets, in the center of the craft
1T looks like we had enough to
stay a month. doesn't it?'' he laughed
There's blankets there. Of course
TO make us comforta ble-and the
lunch. and a pillow or two"
The girls eyes fell with some ap-
prehensiOn on the shaggy wolf. Il
haven't established very friendly re-
lation with Ferris"
I'D leave him at home. but he
won't stand for it. Lie down. old
boy Ben motioned. and Ferris
sprawled at his feet. Now. come
here and pet him. Miss Nelson"
He understands, Ben explained.
He realizes that I've accepted you.
and you're all right. You've not for
gotten anything?"- he asked casually.
Nothing I can think Of
Got plenty of extra shells?"
Part of box. It's a small canber
automatic, you see, and a box holds
fifty"
"Ben's tone indicated deep interest.
May 7 see EN- a minute? I think
! had a gun like IT once Not the
gun-just the box Of shells"
Presently h started TO push of.
You're nor taking the other pad
dle?' the girl asked curiously.
No. don't believe in letting
young ladies work when I take en-
on an outing You are Just TO SIT IN
the bow and enjoy yourself.
lust one moment more he hesitated
From his pocket he drew a piece Of
paper. This ne inserted into a little
crack in the blade of the second pad
die.
Just little note for your father"
he explained. Ito tell him where We
are. In case he worries about you"
That's very considerable Of YOU"
tho girl answered in a thoughtful
voice
After the manner Of backwoods
fathers. JefcTs Nelson had offered
no objections to his daughters all.
day excursion with Ben.
When he heard his daughters voice
on the canoe landing. 100 yards be-
low, he was inordinately startled. She
had not told him that their picnic
would take them on to the water.
He turned toward the door, in
stinctiveiy alarmed; then hesitated
After all, he could not tell her to como
back. Beatrice would be mortified:
and besides. there was nothing def.
E,rite to fear -.-
Yet what. in reality, did he know
Of Ben Darby? All at once a battling
I apprehension crept like a chill through
| his frame,
He could not laugh il away. 1t laid
hold of him, refusing to be dlspened.
Once more the man started for the
door.
When he reached the landing the
| canoe was already near the opposite
shore, heading swiftly downstream
Come back" Nelson called again.
Il order you"
Then his eye fell TO the landing on
which he discerned the white paper.
He bent for it with eager hand His
eyes leaped over the bold writing on
the exterior.
ITO Ezra Melville's murderers," Sen
| had written. And with that reading
Jeffery Nelson knew a terror beyond
any experienced in his life.
His hand ripped apart the sealed
fold, and he held the sheet before
his eyes.
To Nelson and His Gang:
When you get this. Beatrice will be-
on her way to Back There-either
there or on her way to hell.
Ezra Melville was my pard. A let
ter leaving his claim to me is in my
pocket, and I alone know where HI.
rams will is. leaving it to Ezram
Your title will never stand as long
as those papers aren't destroyed If
you don't care enough about saving
your daughter from me. at least
you'll want those letters.
Come and get them. I'll be waiting
for you. BEN DARBY.
AS the truth flashed home, Neil.
sons first thought was of his rifle. One
well-aimed bullet over the water
shooting with all his old-time skill
might yet hurl the avenger to his
death in the moment of his triumph.
And he cursed himself when his
empty hands showed him that he had
left his rifle in his cabin