Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-01-16
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright by w. G. Chapman.)
wNU Service.

protecting her from the pair of ruff
| fans whenever they made their ap-
pearance.
But he could not afford to take any
action which would give the clue to
his status and activities; and apart
| from that, he wanted to keep in touch
with the two men, in case they could
| furnish any clue to Pelly's where
abouts-if he were alive.
Some time early in the morning he
| fell into restless slumber, from
which he was partly aroused by the
sound of horses hoofs Gathering In
| the yard. He wondered sleepily
whether this was an early departure.
or some belated arrival, and then,
turning over, managed to lose con-
seriousness for an hour or two longer.
At last, when further sleep had be-
come impossible, he sat up, struck
match. and looking at his watch, dis
covered that 1t was nearly six o'clock.
He threw his blankets over his arm,
stepped over the sprawling limbs OF
the sleepers, and went out to the
stable where he watered his horse,
afterward kicking his heels about the
place until in the first glimpse of the
dawn, the squaw came shutting into
the kitchen.
Lee went in. "Get me cup of cof-
fee and a piece of bread" he said,
putting fifty-cent piece into her hand.
"That'll be enough for me. I've got to
be moving"
The woman filled the kettle from a
pail of water on the kitchen table.
Lee asked:
"You know that girl who came last
night?
"Me not know um," the squaw
grunted, as she set the kettle on the
stove.
Don't know what time she's leav-
ing, l suppose"
"Girl UNI gone. Gone at four
o'clock" grunted the squaw.
Lee whistled softly. That was her
horse that he had heard, then. She
was losing no time, whatever her bust
ness and destination might be. Lee
fidgeted while the coffee came to the
boil. and had just gulped down cup
full and taken a few bites at the bread
and butter which the woman gave him
when the landlord came sleepily in,
and Lee took the opportunity of set
thing his bill.
well, you're shore off early"
grumbled the fat proprietor. Say,
she beat you to it, thought"
''Who is she?" Lee inquired.
BLAMED eff l know. Nobody here
abouts seems to know her. But
shucks, Little Falls amt more'n three
or four year old Guess she's the gal
of one OF the Old-timers back from
school or college. Or she'll be goin'
up to the Moravian mission, like as
not. Yes, sir, that shore must be it.
She wouldn't be goin' to any of them
hooch-runners up to Siston lake"
That's Railways joint, isn't it?"
80 they say" A cunning look
came into his eyes. ~ guess we amt
botherin' our heads none about that
Free Trader outfit since they're there
to stay. No, sir, 1t don't do to know
too much about Captain Carcajou,
now that the police is in with him."
Lee almost betrayed himself as he
struggled not to display his indigna.
ton. "You mean the r. G. M. P.'s
been bought by that scum in Mont
real?" he demanded.
That's what they're sayin' in these
here parts. See here, stranger, eff that
amt so, why don't they git after that
Captain Carcajou as they calls him?
You heerd what he did to that camp
of Indians last summer? Shore Well,
| amt sayin' nothin' and | amt speak
in for meself. you understand. I'm
only sayin' what other folks say. Why.
there's two of Railways gang in this
here hotel"
"You mean the big breed and the
red-headed man?"
ashore / do" The landlord winked
at him. "Hooch-runners from Siston
lake."
"What're they doing here?" asked
Lee.
II guess they amt here fer no good.
That's why l was wishin you'd had
the sand to stand up to 'em last night,
boyw
CHAPTER iii