Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-11-07


Mounhes carry yourselves some
thing SO cool and masterful about
you. You can't fool me, Mr.. Man.
l know you're police" Tears sud-
oenly blurred her eyes as she drew
quick breath. And I know from
tne way father acted this morning
ehat ne never expects to see you
again! Oh, Red" she flung out des-
perately, Il want to see you again!
l want you to come back, Neil!"
Red had the girls trembling
hands in his. "I'm coming back.
Thistle!" he said, and his voice was
hoarse with feeling. "I'm coming
PACK straight to Matagami-to you,
KID. Then with a shrug of his heavy
shoulders he swallowed hard and the
oancing lights returned to his eyes
NOW Hash those white dazzlers of
yours In one of those smiles that
makes my heart 60 pitty-pat or I'll
rumple tina; gold stuff you call hair
right before your mother who's
watching US through the window"
"A smile broke through the girls
ciouded face at the sally of the If
resistible Red.
Over at the trade-house Finlay and
McNab were saying good-by.
MY men should reach the steel
with your report in thirteen days,
but wish you'd change your mind,
sergeant. Ask for immediate help
and wait here for i'll"
Finlay's thoughts we're with the
girl who waited for his message at
Waswanipi. His mouth curled at a
corner. In his eyes was the CLINT of
sun on young ice. "McNab, the
Mounted Police never send for i'm
mediate help!"
Il know! know!" McNab waeged
his head resignedly as he gripped
Finlay's hard hand. but like you
two boys! It's shame-a rotten"
The trade-room door swung wide
and Blaise rushed in.
"Cano' comm from de eas'l Da-
vld look in glass and say it come
from lsadore! l hid cano' and shut
up Flannel"
TEL Red I want him, quick!"
Malone burst into the room. put
your glasses on that canoe, Garry!"
Red cried. Mine are packed! Some
things up!"
are they near enough to see us?"
mo, they're miles away. What
are the orders?"
Finlay took his binoculars from
his duffle bag. IF they stop here,
Red he said, well hole up in the
! fur-loft and listen while McNab
draws them out. It may prove valu.
able. They've decided we passed
them that night and are out to over
take US on the river"
Red shrugged his wide shoulders.
"Overtake you and Blaise and me,
in strong water? Swell chance! But
we don't happen to be running!"
mo, We don't happen to be run
ningl"
Far to the east on the wind-rippled
surface Of Matagami moved black
speck. Finlay focused his glasses.
1t was a big Peterboro driven by
an cupboard motor, with a crew Of
four men.
DO you recognize any of them?"
he asked McNab.
mot yet. But it's from Isadore's.
He's got the only cupboard motor in
this country"
The two returned to the trade
room while Finlay made his plans.
whoever it is, McNab, get them in
here and pump them dry. Wen lie
up there in the fur-loft and hear it
all. Tell them we stopped for grub
yesterday, on our way to Rupert.
That may send them hunting US
down river. And we'll surprise Isa-
dore when we show up at Waswa-
nipi."
Correct. I'll handle those In
dians."
Make them talk even if you have
to feed them some of that scotch
of yours. 1t will be legal for it's
an order from the police.''
The two men grinned. Leave it
to me, Sergeant"
Red and Blaise appeared with
their Lee-Enfields.
Don't think you'll need them,
Red" said Finlay. "Now we'll hit
that ladder for the loft"
"I'n have another look and let you
know what l see," said McNab, as
the three men disappeared through
the trap-door of the fur-loft.
AS they lay on the floor of hand
hewn, spruce planks near the open
ing, Finlay outlined his conversa-
ton with McNab.
Suppose Tete-Blanche is in that
cancer" queried. Red.
"Our job is Isadore!" cautioned
Finlay. "What we want today is
information. A fight, here, will spoil
it ALL
Red chuckled. 81 wasn't serious,
chief, was only worrying about
Blaise. Well have to lie on him to
keep him from jumping through that
hatch"
Brassard's slit eyes glittered in
the half-light as he grunted: 81 can
wait. But dis big fallar wild red
head, we have tough time to keep
HI, r,oo,,f' cb,,ftO