The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-09-18

Ing OF the gully. Silently he DETECTED
each Of his companions up 1t. When
the last one had passed he drew a
deep breath. "Checkmate," he muir
INJURED, as he followed.
The trail around the mountain
proved to be easy to follow despite
the difficulties Of night travel. 1t was.
In fact. real trail and not, like the
first they had followed, merely the
rock-strewn bed of a torrent, which
had happened to coincide more or less
closely with fanciful red line that
Price had drawn upon the forged map.
The party made excellent time along
1t and would have done even better
had 1t not been for Mrs. Archman, who
was utterly exhausted and positively
refused to consider even a suggestion
from Collins that he and Lord George
should push ahead on reconnoiter-
ing expedition and leave the others to
rest and follow later.
AS it turned out. however. the party
did not have very far to go. About
midnight, just as the men figured out
that they must be very near the inter-
secting red line that ran up the noun
tain, the trail began to slant steeply
downward. SO steeply that Lord
George, who was leading, stopped and
peered doubtfully downward into the
pool of blackness that yawned before
him. The moon, though probably
above the horizon, was behind the
mountain and threw only reflected
light over the spot where the party
had halted.
stop here till we can find out where
we are going" directed his lordship
authoritatively, but in low tone,
when the others came up. This path
seems to go far down, and I've got
to reconnoiter before take you along
It," He peered to the right, whence
came the murmur Of the sea. Were
near the water" he added. Maybe
the path goes down to it. We're only
guessing that the map is right. you
know. Mr.. Collins, you'd better go
inland, 1 fancy, and see whether you
Maybe the red-line trail comes out at
its head and you can find 1t. Mr.. Arch
man, you'll stay here with the ladies
till we come back or call to you"
No one seemed to resent Lord
Georges direction. The others seemed
to have instinctively recognized that
he was the best fitted of the party to
lead. Even Collins, who might have
claimed the right to control. made nc
objection. With nod Of comprehen.
sion he turned off to the left and
tramped away; while Lord George al.
most as quickly took the road down
ward and disappeared
Despondently the four who had
been left behind waited. Mrs. Arch.
man sat down on the bare ground and
went to sleep almost instantly, with
her head pillowed on Bess' lap. Miss
Denslow walked to the very edge o1
the ravine and tried to peer down ant
after a moment Harry Joined her.
Suddenly low call sounded from
dead ahead. "Hello! Hello! Mr.
Archman," 1t came cautiously.
Harry Strengthened up. Hello" he
called. who's that?"
IT'S me-Collins." came the answer
II thought I saw you"
simultaneously Miss Denslov
clutched Harry's arms. There he is,
she murmured. ION the other side o,
the ravine. little higher than we are
He's gotten completely around it. Yes
Mr.. Collins?"
Nothing doing over here! NJ
PATH Have you heard from Lore
GeorgeT
Not yet"
"All right. I'm coming back" The
almost invisible figure rustled into the
deeper shadows that lay behind it.
1t was growing decidedly lighter
The moon was climbing behind tn,
mountain and its rays were pulsint
overhead. making the sky family lu
minous. Suddenly a confused noise
from seaward broke on the night ant
the two turned to look. But the edg,
of the cliffs cut off all view of the sea
"I'll go" began Harry.
But Miss Denslow stopped him
mo |" she said. "Stay here. We mus
be ready Is Lord George calls. Listen
Don't you hear oarsr
| "Yesl l."
Below in the darkness of the ra.
vine stone ratified downward. fol.
lowed by another and another Some
one was climbing the rocks recklessly
While the two waited. form sprans
into view and Lord Georges voice
cautious yet vibrant with excitement
rang out. Quick !" he called. "Coms
quick. all of you'll Dangeri Come
quicki"
(To he Continuedl