The Golden Snare

animent of the business of Law in the northland. But never had he felt quite the same stir in his blo

his tunnel was that Bram had been looking at him for some time-while he was asleep; and that if the desire to kill had been in the outlaw's breast he might have achieved his purpose with very little trouble. Equally swift was his observ

gn of hatred or of exultation. There was not even unfriendliness there. Rather it was the study of one filled with doubt and uneasiness, and confronted by a question which he could not answer. There was not a line of the face which Philip could not see now-its high cheek-bones, its wide cheeks, the low forehead, the flat

to the butt of his revolver, but he had no intention of using it. Then he found his

lo,

oo, m'

was low and guttural. Almost instantly

up his spine as he faced the end of the tunnel on his hands and knees, his revolver in his hand. What a rat in a trap he would be if Bram loosed his wolves! What sport for the pack-and perhaps for the master himself! He could kill two or three-and that would b

ine of the beasts. The sound seemed some distance away. He reached the en

of the Barren and his old trail leading up to the snow dune. The mu

ife-or I mus' keel yon.

tainty was swept away by the appearance thirty feet in front of his tunnel of three of Bram's wolves. They were giants of their kind, and as the three faced his refuge he could see the snarling gleam of their long fangs. A fourth and a fifth joined them, and after that they came within his vision in twos and threes until a score of them were huddled straight in front of him. They were restless and whining, and the snap of their jaws was like the clicking of castanets. He ca

v'-ze knife-or I

uth when Philip's revolver flew throu

announced Philip. "And

ife followed

ow out my be

louder than before, and still there was no answer. In the face of his perplexity he could not repress a grim chuckle as he rolled up his blankets. What a report he would have for the Department-if he lived to make it! On paper there would be a good deal of comedy about it-this burrowing oneself up like a hibernating woodchuck, and then being invited out to br

is bed quickly, and when Bram faced him he

ing,

ny visible betrayal of the fact that every nerve up and down his spine was pricking him, like a pin. From Bram's thro

yes. The thick lips were set tightly, the flat nose seemed flatter, and with a shiver Philip noticed Bram's huge, naked hand gripping his club until the cor

oice which he used in his ha

shoot-las

m," replied Philip calmly. "I didn't sh

ing as if each word cost him a ce

was that you killed a man do

growl rose in Bram's chest. It was like the growl of

ze poleece-like kam from C

filled him with dread. They were waiting-watching-their animal instinct telling them that the command for which they yearned was alrea

ew forth

oice seemed strange and thick to him. "I've followed you-to give it back. I could have killed you i

to Bram the