The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-05-17

Ihere isn't any excuse. But-thinys
are so different, where 1 come from
And don't know anything about
women. We think a lot of women
down my way. but we don't talk about
them-much. Partner, this thing I'VE
let you in for through my foolish
ness-it's broken me all up"
Because I'm Lord Scroope's daugb.
teri"
No" said Billy shortly. BE the
same II you were his housemaid Ru,
It's up to inc to see you clear-you
and him, too. And I'll do it."
HIS voice was so confident that
Aimee's trouble fell away from her.
as sun-ripened chestnut sheds its
ps<ckly husk.
What are we to do then, BillyT'
1T seems to me-" said Billy gently,
''that the simplest way Is the best
way. Let's you an me 20 to the old
man. No use talkin' about 1t here
I'll put 1t straight for you. partner"
mol"
i hope can make him see sense
even II he's two hundred years old,
as you say. It's all my fault. 1t isn't
yours-not one scrap of 1t. won't
say much-but come right along with
me to your father now-an' leave the
talking to me-"
Aimee rose.
Never! / won't have 1t, Billyl"
she said desperately. II don't know
don't know what you might say. II
1t comes out I'm done for anyhow;
I'm going to take the chance that II
won't! There must be a way to stop
lt-there must be some way.
IT'S my trouble-mlne! And
won't have 1t given away"
Billy drew quick breath and
Strengthened himself
Right" he said. "Those are the
orders. 1 accept them. l s'pose
man can't give away girls secret,
If she wants 1t kept. l know that
much"
why, of course" said Aimee sim
ply. But will you please understand,
Billy, that I'm not going to drag you
into this. The best thing you can do
Is to getaway out of 1t all. l shall
fpanage all right. l don't want to"
"Cut-that out" said Billy very qui-
etly. ut don't 60" There was
pause. Il did think, for a while, 1t
might be best-for you. But that's
wrong. I've got to be right on hand,
for I'll be wanted. Now hold on while
tell you what we've got to do"
"YesT said Aimee eagerly.
Billy stretched out long arm.
plucked leaf from the bramble that
screened the cave, and chewed 1t pen
siveiy.
"There's just gamblers chance"
he said at last. IT'S pretty thin
like drawing to three-card flush
But it's wonderful how they come Off
sometimes, If you back your luck.
good an full"
He flashed the torch round the walls
Of the cave.
"What d'you think of this placer
'It's-snug."
"Snug" echoed Billy admiringly.
That's you! 1t would give some
women fits. But you've sand. DO you
think" he added diffidently. that you
could make out here for bit2 Could
you sleep here?
Certainly 1 could. Why. they'll
never find me-"
"C0me up here" said Billy, leading
the way along the cave, which turned
in long curve. narrowing to very
small space. At the end stood the
Sphinx.
She'll have to stay here, too.
There's a bit Of risk to that-but very
little. We can't help 1t. In the PAN
ilier-case you'll find iron rations, a
san-opener, biscuits, an chocolate.
slvays carry those. Down the pit
:ol.der, just by the alder bush, is
spring of water. That settles sup
plies.
"Now, the first deal is to keep you
right out of the way. For few
hours, perhaps for day or more
l can't say how long. But we've got
to put up bluff And you'll be at
least as safe here as anywhere In the
British isles.
"Our best chance is that the police
!
may get the bracelets onto the real
thieves right away. I'm not much
stuck on that chance. Police, wher-
ever you strike 'em, are-well. they're
just police. We're In lot more dan
ger from them than that dead-beat
who broke into Jervaulx, and the fe'
male rattlesnake he had along. The
police mustn't get you, at any price.
And-they mustn't get me either.
Only there's more to 1t than that.
| Half hundred things. There's
mighty tangled deal in front of me.
"Now, I'm going to sail right in. All
you've got to do is lie here In this
| cache till about seven or eight o'clock.
ri be back here by then. If I'm not
said Billy quietly, 'it'll be because
I'VE fallen through. You bet your life
I won't. Buff I don't get here by
then, you must throw your hand In,
lust get straight to your father. best