The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-05
CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XIV
 Uncle Jim let loose a great roar ing laugh and somehow the tense- ness went out of the situation Nix ii and Steve looked at each other in bewilderment.
 Maybe we're crazy" said NikkL
 'No, honey" said Uncle Jim. "But you can put down the rifle, Steve. Fiske wonder is a detec- tive"
 "Detective?"
 "Jewelers Protective" said Fiske, briefly, and then he smiled. T don't blame you for being puzzled. Per- haps haven't acted very detective like. You see I knew exactly who Bancroft and Sarto were and they suspected pretty strongly who was. But I couldn't act because this an- gle is just part of the entire case. If I tipped my hand too soon 1t would spoil the whole works"
 Steve laid the rife on the bench. Nikki started to speak. Then Sarto stirred slowly and Steve raised the rifle again, but Fiske had the revolver in his hands and was stepping back. Sarto slowly open ed his eyes and sat up. His wavering glance finally centered on Fiske.
 "Okay, copper" he said, and turn- ed away.
 Bring the rope" said Fiske. They led Sarto to the same tree around which he had ordered Nikki and Steve, and the returning searchers. F1ske gave Steve the pistol and he pulled Sarto's arms back Of him and around the tree, binding them se- ctirely. Then he tied his feet.
 "A little uncomfortable but not painful" Fiske observed.
 Nikki, meantime, had pushed her uncle away from Rance and taken over the first aid job, working deftly and capably.
 Uncle Jim brought out kit from the cabin and Nikki selected long swabbing stick and twisted cotton around one end of it. She dipped the cotton end into a bottle of iodine and said;
 "This will hurt Rance was watching her admiringly.
 "Where did you learn all this?" he asked.
 "School. First aid course"
 Swiftly she ran the cotton swab through the wound, twisting it gently. Rance grimaced once and then grinned at her The bleeding had almost stopped. she took rell of bandage, placed fold of cotton at the wounds on each side of the shoulder and around the chest.
 There she said. Now we need sling. Wait a minute"
 She unknotted the neckerchief from around her throat and fitted it on Rance. Suddenly, the job done, she felt little weak. This would be fine time to faint. she thought, now that everything's over. Then she remembered. The sun was high in the heavens. So much had happened 1t seemed as though 1t should be night It was noon.
 DO you suppose" she said, resting one hand against the cabin and turning to her uncle, do you suppose we could have something to eat? It's bene a long time"
 My Lord" said Uncle Jim "For minute clean forgot you two had been lost. Say, there's a lot of tellin' to be done around here"
 There certainly is," said Nikki. "There are a lot of things Steve and want to know"
 From you and Fiske mostly" Steve told Uncle Jim
 That can wait minute" said Fiske. I'll tell you the whole story, but first, suppose you tell me about Bancroft"
 Suppose we let both stories wait until after we give Steve and Nikki something to eat" called Uncle Jim. "I1l sling a little chow together right quick. Steve. maybe you could open this can of beans Our regular cook has q headache"
 Woody wobbled over. "T can do it." he protested. Uncle Jim waved him back
 Let Nikki look at your head. She the nurse around here. Nikki found an ugly cut. daubed it with iodine and swathed his head in bandages
 "Wish l had something wrong with me-" said her uncle.
 You will have If you don't hurry with the food"
 I'm little hungry myself" he replied. We had quite a walk hunting for you all while you were right back here in camp
 Ntkki and tSeve ate ravenously and the others Joined them. When they had finished Woody took a plate over and fed Sarto, who ate lllenly.
 "1f he says bandylegs Just once, Observed Uncle Jim, Woody will