Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-01-14


bling It into the skeptlcal Lascelles
You have a bona-fide windigo In this
| valley, monsieur-a-most Interesting
situation to q scientist. 1 assure you.
The Indians are In panic and you
viii have difficulty In keeping them on
their trap-lInes this winter.
You. a scientist, believe In Indian
soreery and superstition p demanded
the Frenchman, sarcastically.
Wen. now. that Is somewhat DIM
cult to answer monsieur" badgered
Steele, to the delight OF the two swart-
faced men with whom he had entered.
Il have heard the windlgo wall In the
night; I have seen his tracks; and
have just returned to report TO Mon
sieur ST. Onge that we have found up
near the mouth OF STOPPING river the
remains Of an Indian torn to pieces
evidently by this came windigo."
'what do you say7" st. Onge was
on his feet.
'Thls morning we found the camp
and body OF a strange Indian--the
tracks were Identical with those you
saw near here on the trail" Then
Steele suddenly changed the subject.
where Is that Pierre who came here
from the Feather lakes the day we
left1 Michel wishes to ask him some
questions"
HE left this morning. Didn't you
pass him on the river7"
A muttered curse from Michel met
SteeIe's backward glance.
TOO bad I" exclaimed the AmerI-
can.
II suppose. monsieur. you attribute
the loss Of our furs to this same
WindigoT" broke In Lascelles.
ooh. undoubtedly. Inspector" re-
piled Steele. with suspicious curl OF
the lip. his blood slowly rising az the
tone used by the man from Albany.
However. above all things, he had TO
consider st. Onge and Denise, he told
himself. and not to allow this fellow
to lure him Into hostile attitude.
Il see you are Joking" rejoined the
Frenchman. flushing.
ION the contrary, am very FAR
from joking when tell you that there
are mysterious things afoot in this
valley-whIch neither my experience
nor scientific knowledge are able to
fathom. You had better go uprlver
tomorrow and see for yourself You
seem skeptical regarding the whole |
matter"
Have you never seen a dead man
before, monsIeurT derfded Lasceiies
II fear IT has gone to your head-thls
matter"
st. Onge excltedly half rose from
his chair, as the cool gray eyes Of his
guest slowly surveyed the man from
Albany, from moccnsins to hair; and
then fell back relieved. when the
American, flushed, but In control OF
himself, drawled:
Monsieur. you were formerly a
man OF war, a soldier. while am
only a peaceful man OF science. TO
vou II Is but natural that violent death
should be familiar sight, while TO
me It is most terrifying. Why. find
L most repulsive even to clean a fish"
30 innOcuous was Steele's smile, and
70 guileless his manner. that Lascelles,
conscious Of telng played with by the
rugged American, found no words to
'eply, but sat In impotent rage. Then
he retreating backs OF Michel and
David. whose shaking shoulders be-
rayed their suppressed mirth, spurred
he Revillon man to answer:
"If you are so afraid OF Hood" he
puttered. "why are you hunting this
WindigoT
Steele smiled down good-naturedIy at
he man he would have blIthely bat
cred with his fists. and leaving the
wO men at the trade-house. sought
ut Denise St Onge.
ooh. welcome back Monsieur
teele." she said, forcing a smile, II
ave Just heard that you have made
terrible discovery"
"PIease, we win not talk OF that"
e insisted. II have something to say
, you before 20. tomorrow. Tonight
iere viii be no opportunity" He won
cred II Lascelles had seen her pri-
ately since his arrival that afternoon,
Ut 1t did not matter. "We are to
AXE a wide circle OF the country"
e went on. and win be away until
leave for Neplgon."
Her sensitive face quiekened with
notion as she listened.
"Mademoiselle St. Onge.y he began,
have no right to ask this from you,
IT in justice TO yourself / must"
She started to speak, as II In pro-
st then her troubled eyes squarely
ct his