The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-07-12

on the floor Of the cave, stretched
upon couch of dry bracken, Law a
man. He was not spectac,a which
III any way gladdened the eye.
ne was big and lusty of limb what
nttie could be seen Of his face through
"eeks s growth Of brown stubble was
haggard. His beak of a nose iutted
oe'ween TWO fierce deep-sunk eyes. One
Vi MS legs was extended, and swathed
from loot to knee in dripping-wet cal
ico Dandages that looked as If they
mad been ripped from a woman,s gar
ment.
Billy found himself looking down
the muzzle of small repeating pistol.
heio In hairy but very steady fist.
stop right where you are." said the
occupant of the cave, reclining on one
eiDow. Don't move step forward.
nor yet a step back. Get me?
Billy stopped obediently. He cal
euiated the distance between them to
De a dozen feet; there was no likeli-
nood of capturing the pistol before
the ouilet struck him. The eyes of
the man showed that he meant busi-
ness. He was in fact, less like man
than crippled wolf.
Jack the Climber" said Billy
biandly, II am pleased to meet you.
I've been looking for you quite
while"
Don't give me that fool name |"
snarled the caveman. my name is
Jake"
Anything to oblige. Mr.. Jake.
there's the little matter of the Jer-
vaulx burglary against you, among
others"
What are you gi,in' mel" retorted
Jake.
THE bluff doesn't CO." said Billy.
your motorcycles yonder in the
clay pit. All the cards are out"
The mans face twitched.
Are you the police?"
NO." said Billy.
Jake stared at the tall form In front
OF him, and emitted a startled oath.
Il b'lieve you're the guy that
slugged me, last Saturday night" he
said
quite correct"
You're on your own, ehT' Jake's
head craned forward, his eyes on
Billy's face. And alone, / guessI"
do you take me for fooIY' said
Billy calmly.
The man shivered. The expression
in his eyes was dreadful.
"See herew he said sullenly.
You've got me set. 1 can't move.
I'm up against it. l know they'll pull
me. Well, I'll take my dose. I'll
throw my hand inp
"Wise of you.'
But" said Jake with devilish fe-
rocity, I've got you, too" He raised
one knee, and rested his pistol hand
on 1t. "If l give up to you, there's
somethin' I'm goin' to have you do
first. You'll take my terms an do
what / ask-or I'll drop you, right
there and now"
There was not the faintest doubt
glance into his eyes told the listener
that.
Nothing doing" said Billy quietly.
II don't take orders from a malefac-
tor. Least of all at the point of a
gun"
"Then." said Jake thickly, you're
cold meat / guess it's the best way.
1t gives me chance yet"
'They don't electrocute in this
country" said Billy, they hang. But
they do 1t very efficiently. You can
shoot me in the back though, If you
want to. I'm going to see about your
exit"
He turned deliberately and walked
to the mouth of the cave. Jake's
finger trembled on the trigger.
"Come back" he said hoarsely.
There was something so broken and
piteous in the tone, that Billy turned
his head. Jake flung the pistol
toward him. it fell on the sand at
Billy's feet, and he picked 1t up.
81 can't get you with gun,"
gasped Jake, "but listen to what I got
to say, If you're a man! For Gods
sake, listenH
And Billy listened.
Some minutes later Billy stepped
out of the cave into the sunlight. He
was looking unusually grave, his lips
were tight set his eyes were posi-
lively harried. He walked few
steps, muttering TO himself. He
started as voice called him excited
ly by name, and he was aware of
Monsieur de Jussac running toward
him. .e.- -..s
"Spencerr' he cried. 81 have been
looking for you everywhere. Where
the devil have you been? The police
have inquired for you at the abbey,
and / think they are not far behind.
1 thought it well to come and warn
you"
1.-THE police?"
Bertrand turned round sharply. He
permitted himself a military express
sion that would not pass the censor.
"And here they areW he said. with
gesture of despair
The helmet of Constable Poison ap-
poored on the brink of the ODDOsite