The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-10-16
Chapter IS
TREASURE

lbdH, llCl 1CoOAAbbASAAS e~eoNNNN increased, and, in the ratio that it increased, the more charming she became to Henderson. A light hearted Irritation, only with Bar bara the light-heartedness was camouflage.
 Barbara, since her resolution the night Ray had departed, carried l through with a secret determine ton, hiding her hurt and keepinf her thoughts from continually dwelling upon Ray and the mys- tery of his disappearance,
 To Henderson, although he wa shrewd enough to suspect, at least the cause, the filtration meant nevertheless, high expectations.
 At dinner the fourth day, Hen derson announced he had, tha' night, planned a midnight treas ,lre hunt for his guests. He tolo them he had arranged with two oxford boys, living near, to lay the clues and superintend it.
 Barbara clapped her hands and her eyes kindled enthusiasm.
 "A treasure hunt, Hendy? That's splendid. Tell me what you do?" Henderson explained. To each couple, starting out in an auto mobile, would be given a clue When deciphered, that clue would lead them on to yet another clue and so on. There would be SIX in all, the last leading directly tc the treasure.
 "Thrillingl" murmured Barbara q can hardly wait for the start. , Her ankle, although still slightly swollen, had recovered sufficiently for her to walk A twist, the doctor had told them, luckily not a sprain.
 At il o'clock they sat down to a cold supper at which champagne was served-so much of it that young Laring exclaimed laughing ly:
 What are you trying to do, Hen derson? Get us sozzled before we start out?"
 Rot" his host retorted. "We don't want to start out in colo blood at this hour of the night"
 "Tn tell the world we don't, Barbara called across the table. Al the moment feel capable of hold ing up a mail train with pes shooter"
 Laring looked from Barbara t Henderson and drowned.
 Its all very well for him :. he muttered. If I were in hl shoes I'd be eager to take goo' bit aboard myself"
 Not long down from Cambridge he was at that age when the pea of his ambition was to have a fir tation with a married woman, es pecially with one as pretty as Bar bara. an American and an heires to boot.
 T suppose Mrs. Lowther is goin with our host" he observed gloom fly to his supper partner, Mi Maidstone.
 "Of course" replied that lad concealing note of resentmer with insincere laughter.
 Laring smiled to himself + surmised the cause of Miss Mait stones chagrin Her parents e tate adjoined d Henderson's an since his elder brothers deceas she had been angling for their ho with a courage persistenc feeding upon crumbs and refusir to. accept defeat. She was wealth but then, she needed to be, as Her derson was wont to remark.
 ss.Hurry, please, hurry. I'm all in patient to start" sighed Barbar
 @Eo am l." rejoined Henderso and his eyes sought hers meanin' ly.
 She scintillated that night. To she was looking her best and DO sibly the psychological effect a sisted the champagne in it's wor
 Becoming aware of Henderson eyes upon her, she smiled at hil tantalizingly.
 ~Whose car am going in, Hel dy?"
 He told her, almost angrily. sMine, of course That IS you care"
 She appeared to consider this.
 T think you'll do," with mockil seriousness. T haven't very WI selection, have I? Don't LOOK cross, Hendy. we'll have a go time tonight <. n aA frightened pressure on her ar answered her She smiled, a ristfully. She vowed that ng she would enjoy herself!
 For once, she would put Ray Q of her mind; forget her gnawil want of him; forget, too. the Ion lincss of nights in the ridiculous annoyingly large, four-poster De