The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1927-01-21

x against CAin a
But he couldn't have. he wanted
to go, It was his holiday and he
thought Gull island was a beasuN
hole. He must have been where
she couldn't see him. Ii was diff
cult to think where this might be-
but he might have been bending
dOwneto put something In his suit
case. A chair could have hidden
him. She remembered what he had
said about leaving his baggage at
the living room entrance. If it was
still there then he had missed the
boat and she ran downstairs, hop
ing with a %prayerful earnestness
that she would not find it. 1t was
not there. Then he is gone" she
said to herself with a satisfied nod
and drew a freer breath. The
weight lifted. she went across to
the garden, where she might find
Bassett, and as she covered the
space between the doors the pic
ture of the launch rose on her in
ner vision with Gabriel the only
visible occupant.
Bassett was not in the garden,
but Shine was, %sauntering into
view from the balcony end, He'd
been loafing about, he said, Just
come up from the Point. They
strolled about on the lanes OF turf
between the massed colors of par
terre and border, the air~languish-
ingIy sweet with the scent Of the
closing flowers. Then they went
in, luxuriously embedding them
selves in two vast armchairs. Bas-
sett found them here and tried TO
look genial at the sight of Shine.
They talked about the moon and
moonlight effects. Shine wanted TO
take some photographs after sup
per, get the pines against the e
and the silvered bulk of the Point.
and he spoke of his fiashlight pic
ture, which they'd have as a re
membrance of Gull island. Anne
said that vas a jolly idea. but she
didn't think they'd need a picture
to remind them of their stay, and
she and Bassett exchanged a smile.
1t was still on their lips when a
sound came from outside, a single
sharp detonation. 1t fell upon the
evenings tranquil hush, sudden
and startling. like something alien
and unrelated.
what was that?' said Anne.
Sounds like a shot," Shine
thought.
TT couldn't be !" Bassett got up.
Nobody has a pistol here and if
he has he couldn't use it-one of
the special stipulations Driscoll
made when he lent us the place"
He moved to the land entrance
and looked out.
The door of Mrs. Cornell's room
opened on the gallery and Miss
Pinkney emerged, Mrs. Cornell be-
hind her.
"Mr. Bassett," she cried. a hand
the railing. where's Mr.. Bias
Bassett drew out from under the
and looked up at her:
did you hear that?"
II did and / told you that Mr..
Driscoll never allowed any shoot
ing on the premises"
10 YOU lllIiIk tlldl was Il SllOt
"Well, what else was it?'
Mrs Cornell. leaning comfort
on the railing, suggested that
t might be an aato tire.
This drew a snort from Miss
'inkney:
How'd a motor get here-swim
II fly" Then to Bassett: "Mr.
)~riscoll's very strict about that.
lie won't have the wild game or
he gulls disturbed and" ]
Bassett interrupted her:
That's all right, Miss Pinkney.
We were given those orders and
eve obeyed them. And none Of
s Could shoot here If he wanted {
there's not a pistol in the out :
t. Don't you know it's against the
IVY 70 carry oneTn q
Then some ones taken nine" /
he exclaimed, qnd Strengthening |
p with an air of battle, I'm com f
lg down"
She left the gallery for the e a
Mrs. Cornell iii her wake. i
"Vhat does she mean-hers?" q
me asked. r
Il don't know What she means
asset looked irritated. Its the
rst I've heard of it,"
Il don't see what there was to !
loot at, anyhow came from I
hine. Looked to me when | was +
ut there as if all the gulls had
me to bed" j.
Miss Pinkney, entering, focused I
leir attention. '
whats this about a pistol of I
)urs?" Bassett asked. :,
She answered as she walked !.
cross the room to a desk under =
lie gallery: II
ITS the one Mr.. Driscoll gave n
thinking it might be useful q
hen | was here alone, opening or u
Oslng the house. | was TO keep }
loaded and have it handy. but q
1 trust my tongue to get rid of y
~ man and here it's lain with the 81
.ker chips" She pulled out a side
aver of the desk. ''There :" she ).
claimed. turning on them in :,
o0my triumph, 'What did | tell =.
u! It's gone de
Bassett looked into the drawer: 10
you're sure i twas here?' -
Didn't T see it this morning sr
zen l put away the counters you nj
re playing with last night?" an
''Umph !" Bassett banged the FL
aver shut in anger. "Ill see that DO
is explained to Mr.. Driscoll. go
ID whOever's taken it. they'll get flo
lat's coming to them.> A id sa