Dick Kent with the Malemute Mail

o a sun-baked valley or depression, many miles in extent. The valley was rough, broken, repellent to the eye. For the most part unve

f spruce or jack-pine, there were few landmarks to relieve the discouraging prospect. However, at one end of the valley,

the lake, stood the cabin of a prospector. The traveller

e where it radiated over the placid, blue waters of the lake. A deep hush had fallen over the earth. Below the wide, azure arch of the sk

ward steadily until he had made his way over the narrow strip of green and up the path to the house. He k

white teeth shining in an

Davis. By Gar!-e

in the sudden breeze from the doorway. His palsied, rheumatic hands crept up sl

red simply, "you

parted the o

ee you again,

man, sit down. You must be tired." He turned to the half

ld man talked steadily. Presently Davis, unable longer to

not succeed in my mi

exclaimed

vering, "yes, I can see no hope for us. Th

r of the sparsely furnished room. The eyes of the whit

red presently, "I knew you had a chance

e of his nervous pacing and rais

with the thing, especially among the Indians. It's working gradually south. The missions are

partner through a long interval

as there been any new development?"

reached t

is calculated roughly. "How did y

passed here two da

n't let

o the table with a steaming kettle swinging from one han

usy at something. He opened the door

Davis scowled. "He sho

ed. We can't always be isolated. Another thing, we'll

st thirty miles

. "La Lond told us that too. Won't

eat diet then," Da

urv

than the horror of

with his head in his hands until Baptiste announced that the meal was ready. As he ate, the young prospector co

ind was too much upset. The disappointing news he had brought

ed their way across the sky. Desolate at all times, the sleepy valley now held no trace of life anywhere. Off to the westward the hills and rocks formed a dun lab

e not only ourselves to think about-but others. It's late in the fal

d done almost continually since he

we can do," he a

t's

olice. It's o

d Harbinson brightening. "You'd go

h quicker than to wait for their regular patrol

start out again

t me warn you. Keep everybody away. Do you hear? Nobody must come here. If n

hide the fact from his partner. But he could not conceal from the other's inqui

ng well," accused

n't think that," quavered

, apparently,

t this thing yet. Inspector Cameron will see the necessity of

Harbinson retired to his bunk and slept for several hours. On the following morning, when Davis rose early, neither the old man nor the

partner. When chance took Davis close to the bunk, he closed his eyes, feigning sleep. This simulation continued until the younger man had completed hi

, thank God!

ling over, began ransacking a crude pine box, containing articles of apparel. Fin

an two minutes later, staggering toward his bunk. His expression was pathetic. He made several futile efforts to remove his

started back in amazement. Again his gaze went back, as if fascinated, t

ked. "Et ees zee red flag of