Evening star., 1933-12-16
IL I.,.FORBIDDEN VALLEY
.3fk1sa. S4 wjin'~ Bynon ('loOe4

| mottle left the opposite shore and came
dancing across the 50-yard channel. It
merged with the shadows of the willows
and was swallowed up.
| In kind of daze, as though he were
an actor in some ugly dream, Curt
worked his way down through the
shoulder-high brush. When he beard
cautious voices ahead he dropped to
| hands and knees and crept on, foot by
| foot, till he came up behind a thick
, clump within IL feet Of Sonya and
LIE Noir and could hear their words dis
tinctly.
Il have never heard Of this man you
speak about" lie Noir was arguing
There is no such man in these noun
tains. For the fifth time, non!
Sonya stamped her small foot impa-
tiently For the tenth time, oui!" She
dropped her imperious tones, became
! persuasive, coaxing. Il understand how
his hiding place from all strangers.
| Will you not believe that he and I
are fellow-countrymen and intimate
| friends? Has he not mentioned me a
dozen times to you?"
| He has not mentioned you once"
LIE Noir came back too quickly.
Sonya caught him up. You have
made the admission of knowing him!
Now perhaps We can talk!"
The detective in Curt admired the
deft way she had led LIE Noir into her
trap. 1t was clear that Karakhan did
not know she was coming to him. It
meant that Karakhan had not selt for
her at all. That there was something
here which Paul hadn't found out.
LIE Noir growled at being trapped into
admitting that he knew Karakhan
What is it you want?" he demanded.
"For you to take him this letter. Only
that. When he reads my note he will
give you more money for bringing it
than for all the help that you've been
to him since last Fall"
AT the mention of money LIE Noir
| pricked up his ears. But still he hung
back warily.
What more do you want of me?"
Nothing more. You see, I am not
asking you where he is, or endanger-
ing his security in any way. He will
relieve you Of all responsibility. Take
| your directions from him. He will send
you back here, undoubtedly. to get me" ;"
LIE Noir jumped as the situation
dawned on him. "Is it that you are
going to join him there?"
"You are not entirely without under
standing" Sonya answered. "Yes, I am
joining him there-and remaining"
Behind the screen of willows Curt
rose on his elbow. and cry choked in
| his throat. And remaining''-those
| two shameless words of hers stabbed
him like a knife. She was joining
Karakhan in his wilderness refuge!
"I'll be waiting for your return, "
Sonya continued, to LIE Noir. Each
night when the red star sets I'll listen
for your signal. Now, one other thing
These Indians are planning to attack
my party. You have influence with
them. You must keep them from doing
that. Ralph is my friend Mr. Ralston
and his partner have been good to me.
too. I'd be sorry If they met any harm -
II have little influence" the breed
evaded. But perhaps ] can do some
's, You must.S she Insisted "And now
I'll go back to camp Those two yon-
der may discover I am gone"
LIE Noir detained her. "Will you say
nothing" he stammered "abous-at
Russian Lake. when came over to the
island? You will say nothing to M'siep
Karakhan about that little indiscrc.
tion?"
Nothing at ALL" said Sonya.
Tomorrow, Curt reads Sonya's damn