Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-01-08

The STORY So FAR: Six men traV-
eled the Chibougamau trail and six
men died. Later they were report
ed drowned. Murder is suspected.
Garry Finlay, brother of one of the six;
Red Malone. Mounted Police officers,
q q e
AS Lise followed Corinne into the
mouse to change into a bathing suit
she wondered how far she could
trust her-hoW much Corinne really
knew.
They padded slowly up the shore
OF the lake. The nose of the boat slid
into the sand. Dropping her blouse
and Stacks in the canoe and adjusting
her rubber cap, Lise stepped out
into the shallow water followed by
Corinne. Walking out to her knees,
Lise made long, shallow dive and
swan away, revealing in the refresh
ing GOODNESS of the water.
Don't 60 so far, Lise!" called
Corinne. "Stay here with me! I'm
afraid to go out there!"
Lise turned back.
Great, isn't it, after this heath"
said Corinne, stretching on the sand.
"Wish we'd brought our lunch!"
But the thoughts of the girl were
OF the rock hundred feet away, at
the edge of the beach. Had Finlay
returned and left a note for her?
And how was she to get it?
Lise waded out and plunged in
again. Swimming in wide circle
she left the water opposite the quartz
rock at the edge of the beach and
casually walked past it. Her heart
suddenly picked up its beat. The
corner of an oilskin wrapper was
visible. The letter was there!
She rejoined Corinne who said:
"You know, this morning l asked
Jules if he was going to bring
charges against Finlay for murder
when he went south. Do you know
what he said?"
II can't guess"
"He said it wouldn't be neces-
sary."
"Meaning?"
"why, that Fin1ay would disap-
pear, I suppose. Lise, I'm afraid
to stay here. I'm going to make
Felix Blondel take me back with
him. want to get out of this and
you should, tool"
Lise sat up. Her dark face was
suddenly taut and desperate. "You
remember what Jules told me about
Felix Blondell?"
Eyes, it was rotten! And l think
he meant it! He's as hard as stone.
When Blondell comes, you sleep with
pistol under the pillow!"
II will and I'll use it,"
II believe you would. He's vile
when he's drunk and you know how
they'll drink. He's due in a week."
Lise was planning how to get the
note unobserved. At last she had |
an idea. She rose, took her blouse
and Stacks from the canoe and re-
leasing the neck band of her bathing
suit dropped it around her hips.
"What are you doing?" demanded
Corinne.
my swim suits not dry. I'm 60
ing to spread it on that hot rock"
Lise slipped the suit to her knees,
stepped out, got into her Stacks and
put on the blouse. Then she took
the suit to the rock and spread it to
dry. When Corinne rose, turning
her back, and went to the canoe,
Lise reached under the rock and
hid the wrapped note inside her
blouse, which was tucked into her
Stacks.
On the way back to the post Lise
could feel the wrapped note inside
her blouse with every stroke of her
paddle. 1t comforted her. Hurry
ing to her room, she opened it and
read:
Dearest Girl
Were back but they've been
hunting us so hard that we haven't
moved in daylight. At least twenty
canoes have been combing the shores
looking for us. We move only at
night. l can't write what want to
say. This note might be found.
can't tell you where l am or meet
you now. Next week look for in
structions. Pack a bag with clothes
and wait for the word. Courage! All
will come out if you are brave and
I know you are. Pm still living those
last moments on your beach. love
you, Lise Demarais! If Blondell
comes before you hear from me,
sleep with and always carry your
gun. Try to be patient and wait for
my message. 1t will be soon. Cour-
age, brave heart! I love you'll
Garry"