The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-04-15
CHAPTER iii


gone onward, after leaving q note
for Hammond, saying that he had
changed his mind and stocked up
with four months supply of food.
Then Sergeant Hubert Terry Of the
Royal Canadian mounted police had
arrived, holding everyone until a
large group could follow Ham,
mond's lead into the Stikine.
After ALL" he had said. you
stirred up all this turmoil. It's up
to you to see that these people get
where they want to CO."
Now, assisting the sergeant, Ham,
mond was on the rounds Of final
check-up. The trip to the Stikine
was to start in the morning. Fur
trimmed parka hoods drawn close
about their faces, against the below
zero weather, they slipped and
scrambled along one Of the many
trails which led through a maze OF
shacks and tents. Afternoon was
blending into dusk.
Where TOT" asked Hammond.
Il thought I'd drop by and see
Around the World Annie"
Didn't you say you'd checked up
on her?''
The sergeant laughed. He was a
pleasant-featured man with an air
of Weathered amiability.
Eyes, | guess I've got to let her
go in. What's to prevent it? She's
not going to stop on Canadian soil
she knows perfectly well that the
Big Moose takes a long bend near
by Sapphire lake and extends al
most to the Alaskan border. Once
across that and she can set up any
kind of an establishment she wants.
The United States authorities aren't
going to send men over passless
mountain range just to police few
miles of territory. She's in the clear
ON that; want to see her about
another matter"
Mind if we stop by the post office
first?r
The sergeant. his dark eyes twin
Hing in their frame of wolf fur,
glanced at the letter in Hammond s
hand.
Wondered what kept you SO
long," he unused. Then, 1.-THE daily
news, eh?"
The sergeant stamped his moe
caslned feet while Hammond mailed
his letter. and brushed mittened
hand across his mustache, white
with frost. They began to move.
Suddenly the sergeant halted be-
fore an ice-fringed tent and called
"Anniel"
Around the World Annie glanced
out, invited them in and shouted a
command.
Hey, some of you girls I'm
sprawl yourselves and give these
gentlemen sitting room on one OF
these cots"
Don't trouble yourselves, said
the sergeant. Cant stay long"
Nevertheless, the girls obeyed, by
casual sort of shifting process
which left one cot unoccupied. Ser
geant Terry slipped back the hood
of his parka. Hammond went to the
tin stove, and stood with his back to
it.
Sergeant Terry began asking
questions.
"You came here on the same
train with her, didn't your"
well, I guess I did. II it's the
girl I'm thinking of, !" said Annie.
'She isn't one of your OUTFIT"
4Mine?" Annie snorted. mo sir!"
What did she say she was going
to do up here?"
Annie bristled.
Start little store, OF course"
''They all start stores. Or q
beauty shop. Or work for some
body" the sergeant replied, in a
voice mildly cynical.
who are you talking about?"
queried Hammond.
"A girl named Jeanne Towers.
Been working over at the Cafe de
Paris"
Anything wrong with herr"
Annie Suffered, with a queer air
of protective ferocity.
mo, there amt anything wrong
with her Why don't you let the girl
60 through? She amt done nothin'
to nobody"
The sergeant laughed.
Take it easy, Annie" he said.
II am not accusing her. I'm just
trying to get line on her-its a
long way to the Stikine."
Suppose it is?'f
"You wouldn't want me to let
somebody 60 in there that wasn't
equipped"
What do you mean equipped"
Didn't she borrow clothes from
you when you got off the train?"
Around the World Annie shot a
daggerlike glance at Hammond. His
eyes signaled swiftly-that he had
told nothing.
"Where'd you get that?" shs
asked the policeman.
ITO BE CONTINUED