THE WASTREL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15307, 21 May 1913, Page 11

THE WASTREL.

PUBLISHED, BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

\ BY HAROLD BINDLOSS, Author of "The Impostor," "The Pioneer," "Hawtrey'e Deputy," eto.

COPYEIGHT. CHAPTER XXVIII. , THE END OF THE PURSUIT. When t they had ridden some distance through the wood, Stanton cheeked his horse. " Hold on!" ha said. " Hero's a bit of an opening in the brush." He moved away a few yards, and then called out, " Looks mighty like a trail. I guess you didn't notice it when you came along. 1 ", Prescott said he had not done so, which was not surprising. There was little to distinguish the gap between the nut bushes from others that opened up all round; but Stanton seemed satisfied that he was right. "Somebody has driven out this way not long ago," he explained. ; '• It doesn't follow that' the man was Wandle.' , niMl _ "Why, no," said Stanton. ' Still, I guess it's likely, and if there's a trail, it leads to a homestead. Anyway, we'll track it up." . 1 ' • • ' X, When they reached the open prairie the moonlight showed faint wheel»marks running on before them to the east. The country was open and empty ; a wide plain, with one ; slight rise that cut with a white gleam against the deep blue : of the sky, ; some miles away. ' They headed towards it wearily, following the track, and drew bridle when they gained, the summit. A half moon floated rather low in the western sky, glittering keen with frost, and. they could see that the prairie ahead of them was more rolling and broken than the rest. Dusky smears of bluffs chequered its white surface hero and there, ana a low irregular dark line ran across it. Prescott supposed this to be small timber growing along the edge of a ravine. Beyond it, in the "distance, a faint glimmer of yellow light caught and held his eye. It was the mm touch of warm colour in the chill and

one loucn 01 warm coiuui an mo uuu* !. lifeless whit© and blue. "A homestead," said Stanton. "We'll L ride as far as the ravine together; ana . then I guess I'll make for the farm alone. If Wandle's been thore looking for horses , he'll strike south and take the trail we left' farther on. You'll head down that way and watch out to put him off if lie lights ; .out before I come up." Prescott understood the manoeuvre. By driving east the fugitive had lost ground, and if he could push on fast enough _ Pretf- ( cott might reach a position from which he ■ could either run him down or turn him back into the hands of. the trooper. By and by they came to the Tavine and after descending the deep shadowy hollow parted company on its opposite brink, which Prescott followed, because Wandle ' would have to cross it lower down to regain the south trail. Once or twice he left it for a while when the gorge twisted in a big loop away from him, but lie could, see nothing of his companion. They had commanded a wide sweep of plain when they crossed the rise, but now ho was on low ground the scattered bluffs obstructed; his view. Indeed, he fancied from their position that they would prevent Stanton's seeing the farm. Once lie stopped and listened with strained attention, put he could only hear the faint sighing of a light wind among . the trees he skirted. and tne snapping of a twig, made by what means lie could not tell, for there' were no signs of life in all the frozen wilds. It was very dreary, and he had: little expectation of overtaking Wandle after : the time they had lost, but he doggedly rode on. . " :■ At length an indistinct sound, too regular for the wind to account for, reached him. arid grew louder when he pulled up his horse. It was a dull; measured throbbing? and he knew it to be the beat of hoofs. It was drawing nearer, but it might : be made by Stanton riding to- join him. and 1 he headed so. as to clear one of the bluffs : which prevented ; his seeing l far across the ' plain. On passing the end of the timber he saw another taller patch half a mile off, which hid most of the prairie between him and the farm, and knowing that time might be valuable lie clung to the ravine, urging the jaded Clydesdale to its fastest i pace, which was very moderate. He had 1 gone about a mile, opening up . the flat waste beyond'the second bluff, when the i black shape of a team .• and rig appeared on 1 it. They were being driven furiously and < in another few moments Prescott was not surprised to see a horseman sweep out « from the gloom of the trees behind them. 1 It was. however, soon obvious that he was I not gaining ground; Wandle had got fresh < horses, his rig was light, while Stanton's i mount had already carried him a long way.; Prescott's Clydesdale had been harder taxed, but he knew he could not spare the < beast. Wandle must have , seen him, but £ he was holding straight on, and this could j only bo because he was following a trail , which led to the easiest crossing of the ravine. The man would shrink from the risk of getting entangled among thick timber with his team. J Prescott would have found speed diffi- • cult, even had he been mounted *on a fresh ) horse. The snow was thin, but it was loose and dusty beneath the crust, through 1 which the hoofs broke, while Wandle was , making excellent progress along a beaten : trail. Still, Prescott was a little nearer to the point the man was making for, and if

he could roach it first Wandle could not escape. Riding with savage determination he sped on, the snow flying up' behind him, the thrill of the pursuit firing his blood and filling him with fierce excitement. Wandle'g fresh team was going at a gallop, the hoofs beating out a sharp drumming that mingled with the furious rattle of wheels, and through these sounds broke a rapid, pounding thud which told that Stanton was following hard behind. The trooper was, however, less close than he had been too far, Prescott thought, to use his carbine, and as he mercilessly drove his beast lie feared that he could scarcely reach the trail in time. He was closing with the rig and could see Wandle savagely use the whip.; the trouble was that instead of riding' to cut off the fugitive, in another few minutes he would be behind him, which was a very different thing. While he plied the quirt he saw the rig vanish among the trees close ahead. They stretched out some little distance into the prairie, and he might not be too late yet, if ho wore willing- to take a serious risk. He did not think the trail ran straight down into the ravine— the hollow was too deep for thatit would descend the slope obliquely and might trend towards him. If so, lie should still be able to intercept the rig by cutting off the corner and riding straight down the steep bank through the timber. • The odds were in favour of his killing the horse and breaking his bones, but this did not count, and next moment there was a crash as the Clydesdale rushed through, a brake. A branch struck Prescott's leg a heavyblow, but he was too numbed to feel much pain, and as he swung round a bush that threatened to tear him from the saddle he could look down between the trees. Then he was filled with exultation, for the trail had turned bis way. Below him, but farther from the bottom of the dipping track than he , was, Wandle's horses were plunging down hill at a furious gallop; the rig jolting behind them, the driver leaping forward and using the whip. There was no sign of Stanton except the pounding of hoofs that rose anvmg the trees. Then the elope grew dangerously sharp and Prescott set his teeth. The Clydesdalo flinched from the descent, but it was too jaded to struggle hard, and next moment it stumbled and slid over the edge. They went down, stumbling over ground as hard as granite under its thin coat of snow, smashing through nut bushes, tearing off low branches; and Prescott saw Wandle turn his head and look up. at him. Then the fugitive sent up a hoarse cry of rage and warning too late. If he could stop his team, which was very doubtful, he miffht escape the threatened collision; but this would involve his capture by Stanton, and he went on. while Prescott leaned back in his saddle filled with grim fury, and the great plough - horse came madly rushing down at him. He looked at them again, with a breathless yell; then let the reins fall and seized a seat-Tail. The Clydesdale struck the light near horse, hurling it upon its fellow, break*i- ■■ M ... ■'■~ < . '

ing off the pole. Both lost their footing and were driven round ; Prescott, flung upon their backs, grasped the front of the rig, which ran on a - yard or two and overturned with a ■ crash. Tho Clydesdale went down among the wreckage, another horse was on its side, kicking savagely ; and Stanton, coming up, saw Prescott crawl slowly clear of it. Seizing him, he ' lifted him to his feet,, and to his great surprise the man leaned against a tree with a half-dazed laugh. "Well," he said, gasping hard, "I'm not in pieces, anyway." _ V " Then you ought to be," said Stanton, too startled to congratulate him on his escape. "But where's Wandle?". ' Prescott seemed unable to answer, and tlio trooper, looking round, saw Wandle i lying in the snow, but before he could ; reach him tho man began to raise himself on his elbow. This' was disconcerting, • for Stanton had thought him dead. Well," he said, stupidly, ".what's the matter with you?" "I don't know," said Wandle. " Don't i feel like talking; let me alone." i Stanton, who had no fear of his escaping went back to the horses. One of them stood trembling, attached to the rig -by ; the deranged harness; the other still lay kicking, while the big Clydesdale rolled to ana fro, with its leg through _ a wrenched-off wheel. . It was astonishing that none of them were killed, and as Prescott, who had not left the tree, apparently needed no assistance, Stanton .felt that he required some occupation to calm himself. Accordingly, he freed the Clydesdale of the broken wheel, narrowly escaping a kick which would have broken his ribs.: The horse, which was a valuable one, must not be left in danger,t and after a few minutes' severe : exertion he got it on its feet. Then he turned to the fallen : driving horse and began, at some risk, to cut away its harness, during which operation Prescott came .to help him. They ; raised the beast, and Stanton eat -down heavily upon the wreckage. ~ "Well," ho remarked, "it. was -the blamedst fool trick your riding down'the grade*; they wouldn't expect that kind - of work from us in the scrvice. What" I can't account for is that you look none the worse." Prescott, standing shakily in the moonlight, smiled. "It is a little surprising; but hadn't you better look after Wandle? Ho seems to be getting up." Wandle was cautiously getting on his feet, and the trooper watched him until he moved a pace or two. "You don't look very broke up," he said. "Do you feel as if you could walk?" " I believe I could ride," Wandle answered sullenly. "No, sir," said Stanton; "I guess yoc won't. You have given us trouble enough already, and you'll bo warmer on your feet." Then he drew out a paper. "This < is my warrant. ' It's my duty to arrest yon—" Wandle listened coolly to the formula, , ill which he was charged with fraudulently selling Jernyngham'e land and forging .his name; Indeed, Prescott fancied lie was relieved to find that nothing more serious , had been .brought against him. "Well," he said, "you'll hear my de- ' fence when it's ready. What's to be done now?" . . 1 " Head back to the homestead you got the team from. Think you can lead one _ of them It's either that or I'll put the > handcuffs on —make your choice. • Stanton turned ■to Prescott. "It will bo , warmer walking, and I've ridden about j enough." , The suggestion was agreed , to, and after looping up the cut harness awkwardly ' with numbed fingers, they setoff; Wandle , going first, holding one horse's head, Prescott following with two, and the trooper bringing up the rear. By and by • they < reached. the farm, to the _ astonishment of its occupants, who, coming down half • dressed, gave them quarters in the kitchen, where a big stove was burning. Soon afterwards Prescott and 1 Wandle lay down wrapped in blankets they had been supplied with—on the wocden floor, and 1 Prescott sank into heavy . sleep, while ! Stanton, sitting upright in an uncomfort- ] able chair, kept watch with his carbine j laid handy on the table. * He spent the i night in a tense struggle to keep awake, i and when Prescott got up at dawn his ■, face was haggard and his eyes half-closed, ; but' he was still on guard. • - ; "' After breakfast they borrowed a saddle 1 for Wandle and set out on the return iournev, meeting Curtis, who , had ridden 1 X A.' ii Til i 4Via flvcf lorniinf, 1

from the railroad, at too first sottlemonif they 'reached. Prescott left the others there,' and rode towards the station the corporal had come from, taking-some telegrams Curtis asked him to despatch. Ho spent an afternoon and; a night in the little wooden town, 1 and went on again next day .by a . loc<jil train. While Prescott was on the way Jernyngham drove to Sebastian w;ith Gertrude, who insisted on accompanying him. Soon after they left the homestead Colston, who was trying to read a paper from which his interest wandered, looked up at his wife. "It's fine weather and not quite so cold," he said. "Suppose we go to the settlement and get supper there? I've no doubt there's something you or Muriel would like to buy." " As it happens, there is," Mrs. Colston replied. "But I don't think that's all you have in your mind." " The fact is I'm disturbed about Jernyngham," said Colston thoughtfully. "He has been in an extremely restless mood since Prescott disappeared." " I have noticed that. But do you know why he has gone to Sebastian to-day?" • "He told me. One of the police , authorities, . whom he has seen already, is staying at the* hotel to-night. Jernyngham means to get hold of him and insist upon an explanation of what they are doing." Muriel, who was sitting near her sister, leaned forward in her chair. She looked anxious, for no news of anything that had happened since Wandle's flight had reached the neighbourhood. It was only known that the police were in pursuit of him, and local opinion was divided as to whether Prescott was also a fugitive or, knowing more about the matter than anybody else, had offered Curtis his assistance. ''I think you ought to go," she said. "And you may hear something." "Well," said Colston, "£.ll confess that I'm curious, though I'm going mainly on Jernyngham's account." He turned to his wife. "Don't you think it's advisable?" . " I do, and it would bo better if we I all went. Then you will have an excuse for following Jernyngham and can watch him without making the . thing too marked. It's a pity you haven't suc- ■ ceeded in getting the pistol away from him yet." " I've done what I could and I had another try this morning, but he caught? me looking for it and I believe he guessed what I was after, * because he was unusually short with me. It's my opinion that he has taken to wearing the thing; so far as I can discover, it's nowhere in ■ the house; one, 'however, hesitates about ransacking his room." It is not in the house, and he is not to be trusted with it," Muriel said quietly. " ' Colston cast a surprised glance at her. "Oh, well; you seem to know. I've no doubt you are cleverer with your fingers than I am and wouldn't be so afraid of leaving your tracks." " Gertrude kuows where the pistol is , and she thought it necessary to go with her father." Mrs. Colston said signifi- . cantly. "We'll get off as soon as you have asked Leslie for the rig; I wish it had been the sleigh." ] They drove away in half an hour, but . Jernyngham reached the settlement before , them and leaving Gertrude at a drygcods , store went to the hotel, where the com- \ missioned officer of police had a room. The latter was acquainted with all that < Prescott had told Curtis about his absence ■ in search of the missing man, and had < been advised by telegraph of the assistance he had rendered in Wandle's arrest. < This was, -however, a matter* that must 1 stand in abeyance until he saw Curtis, j for he had come, down to investigate ; some complaints about the reserve \ Indians, who were in a restless, discon- l tented state, and the business demanded careful thought and handling. He was j studying the report of a local constable ( when there was a knock at the door, and ] he looked up with annoyance as Jernyng- < ham came in. The man had his sympathy, but he was troublesome. . " I'm afraid I can't spare ( you more ' than a minute or two," he said. "I'm c expecting a constable I sent for-" £

" One would have imagined that my business was of the first importance," Jernyngham rejoined.. "Have you any news .of tho fugitives?" • "I'm glad to say that Wandle has been arrested." "Ah 2" said Jernyngham. " That's satisfactory so far as it goes; but it's comparatively unimportant. His attempt to escape with Prescott, however, makes it obvious that they were confederates." The officer let this remark pass. He was anxious to get rid of his visitor, and Jernyngham was piqued by his silence. " 1 suppose you nave not apprehended Prescott yet?" he resumed. "No," said tho other shortly. "He will remain at liberty." There was a ' knock at the door and a trooper looked in and withdrew. "Mr. Jernyngham," -said the officer, "if you will make an appointment to meet me on my return from the reserve - I will be at your; service, but you must excuse me now. I have some instructions to give the constable, who . has a long ride before him." "A minute, please; I'll be brief. Am I to understand that you have; no intention of seizing Prescott?" ' . " That is what I meant. So far as I can determine at present we shall not interfere with him. Jernyngham's haggard face grew red with anger. Whatare your grounds for this extraordinary decision?" "A strong presumption of his innocence." . "Preposterous!" Jernyngham broke out. " The scoundrel killed my son and you refuse to move any further against him. I must carry the matter to Ottawa; you leave me no recourse." The officer rapped upon the table and the trooper entered. ' " Come and see me when I get back, Mr. Jernyngham, and we'll talk over the thing again. I have other business which demands urgent attention now." Jernyngham's face was deeply coloured and the' swollen veins showed on his forehead. "Understand that I insist upon Prescott's arrest. I shall spare no effort to secure it through your superiors." Swing that he was in no mood to listen to reason, the officer let him go, and Jernyngham walked slowly to the general room downstairs. There were a number |of other men in it, but two or three strolled into the bar and the rest drew' away from him when he sat down. They were not without compassion, but they shrank from the grim look in the man's worn face. For a while he sat still, resting one elbow on a table, and trying to arrange his confused thoughts. He knew nothing of Prescott's interview with Curtis or- the reason for his visit to Wandle on the night of the latter' flight; the discovery of the brown clothes occupied the most prominent place in his mind, and it convinced him of Prescott's guilt. • ' • Then lie began to consider how he could best bring pressure to bear upon the administration in Ottawa, which from inquiries he had made appeared less easy than he had supposed. It was, he had been' told, unusual ' for i anybody to interfere with the North-West Police, who had been entrusted; with extensivo powers; and there was a strong probability of his failing to obtain satisfaction. It "was, however, unthinkable that Prescott should escape.. Jernyngham's poignant sense of loss and regret for past harshness to his son had merged into an overwhelming clesiro for vengeance on the man who ho regarded as Cyril's murderer. He was left without an ally, the organised means of justice had signally broken down, but tho man should not go .unpunished. Then finding it impossible to sit still, tormented by his thoughts, he went out in search of Gertrude. , CHAPTER XXIX. JERNYNGHAM BREAK'S , DOWN. Colston and his party were leaving the hotel, with Jernyngham and Gertrude a few paces in front of them. A big lamp hung* beneath the verandah, and the light from the .windows streamed out on the snow. Whilst Colston held the door open for his wife and Muriel to pass through a man tame hurriedly along the sidewalk arid Colston started. •' ~ % i " J - " Be* quick!" he said to Muriel. "It's Prescott." '• ' Letting the door swing to, he moved hastily forward, and then stopped, seeing ho .was too late to prevent the meeting, for- Jernyngham had recognised the new-

come]*. ■ , ■■ t - " " v"Mrl Prescott," he cried. "A word with you!" , Prescott stopped with a troubled face a few yards away. ' "If you insist, I'm at your service." • Colston drew a little nearer. Jernyngham's tone had alarmed him, and its ominous harshness was more marked when ho resumed: " For the last time, I ask you where is my son?" " I wish I knew," said Prescott quietly. " I believe he's in British Columbia, but it's a big province and I lost trace of him there." "It's false," Jernyngham cried, hoarse with • fury. "Your tricks won't serve you; I'll have the truth." "Be calm," said Colston, touching his arm. "We'll have a crowd here in a few minutes. Come back into the hotel. He was violently pushed away. Jernyn'gham's eyes glittered, his face was grimly set; it was obvious that his self-control had deserted him. Seeing that he could not be reasoned with,. Colston, left him alone and waited, ready to interfere if necessary. The man, ho thought, was in la dangerous mood; the situation was liable to alarming developments. • "Whv don't you speak?!' Jernyngham asked Prescott. "You shall not leave the spot 'until 'we hear your confession." Prescott stood still, looking at him steadily,. with pity in his face. Somehow he made a striking figure, finely poised, with no si en of shrinking, in the glare of light. The others had fixed their feyes on him, and did not notice Muriel move quietly through the shadow of the wooden, pillars. "I'm glad that I have nothing to confess," he said. y/ Jernvngham's fur coat was opien and his hand dropped suddenly to. a . pocket. As he brought it out Colston sprang forward, a moment too late but Muriel was before him, her hand On the man's ■ arm. There was a flash, a sharp report, and a little blue smoked curled up •towards the verandah, but Prescott stood still, untouched. "Be quick!" screamed Muriel. "He's trving .to. fire again." There was no time to be particular. Colston seized the elder man, dragging him backwards several paces before hs wrenched the pistol from him. Then he paused, breathless, looking about in a half-dazed fashion. .Everything had happened with startling suddenness, and the scene under the verandah was an impressive one. His wife clutched one of the pillars as if unnerved, Gertrude leaned against the sidewalk rail, her face tense with horror, and Jernyngham stood with a slackness of pose which suggested that power •of thought and .physical force had suddenly deserted him. None of them spoke, until Muriel, clinging to Prescott, cried : " Jake, are vou hurt ? " ; Then the tension was relieved by the . appearance of the commissioned officer, 1 who sprang out of tho hotel with the con- ' stable close behind him. " Shut the door and keep them in," he « said. ( { The constable obeyed, but his efforts ' were wasted, because, men were already J hurrying out through the separate entrance to the bar and from an adjoining store. I Others ran out from the houses, and the j street was rapidly filling with an eager i crowd. 1 "Stand back there !" said the officer < sharplv. and turned to the group under the 1 verandah. "Now what's this? I heard a ] shot.' > ' "Yes," said Colston, pulling himself 1 together, though his manner was confused; i "there was one. I don't quite know how i it happened-r-it was a surprise to us all. c I don't think the pistol's safe; it goes off i too easily. However, the most important i thing is that nobody is hurt." - t " That's fortunate. I'll take the weapon c from you," said the other drilv, and when ( Colston had given it him as if glad to "be c rid of it, noted the positions and attitudes i af the rest before he turned to Prescott. 1 " Can you tell me anything he asked. \ " I don't think so," Prescott answered, t "Of course, I saw the flash, but the bullet I iidn't come anywhere near me." a (To be continued daily.) r • V *' 'I ■ ,*■ '<%-• V'f'V'v /