THE AIM HONOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE AIM HONOUR.

BY HAROLD BINDLOSS.

Author of •' The Impostor," " The " Pioneer," " Hawtrey's Deputy," "The Wastrel." etc.

CHAPTER XIX.-(Continued.) Andrew concluded that he had been mistaken, and bent down to brush the gathering snow from his torn mocassins ; but he started when he looked up. Thero were now two men on the slope below, and while he gazed ■at them a third emerged from among the- rocks. Half-dazed as he was with fatigue and want of food, it was a moment or two before he could believe that he was not the victim of his disordered imagination; but. the figures moved and grew more' distinct. He could not 'doubt that they were men. and they were coming up the hill. Then while 'his heart beat painfully,fast he got'up and raised a wild, | hoarse cry; ■,'.•'.

' It was answered. ' One of the men waved to him; they came on faster, though'he could see' that they • were heavily loaded, stumbling .now and then, in their haste.-' Ho could .not imagine what had brought them into;the wilds, but they were obviously well supplied, and he could purchase their provisions and recompense them for an abandoned journey. When they were close to him, the leader stopped a moment and'called back, to the, others— "We've struck'it right!. It's Mr. Allinson." Andrew, recognising the man, whom he seen at the Landing, ran forward and shook hands with him. ; , "'l'm uncommonly glad to 'see you; but what brought you here?" he cried. "Where's 'the rest of you?" the other asked. "Carnally's down tho hill somewhere; Graham's in camp beyond t!<» neck." The man looked relieved. "That's good. We felt scared when we saw you were alone. Thought wo might have come too late, though we hurried some." " Then you knew we were here?" ''Sure thing. Frobisher sent us up with stores for you. We made a ' few caches as we came along, and there ought to be three more of the boys on tho trail behind us. You- don't want to worry; we'll see you down." Andrew felt shaky. Relief had come so unexpectedly and his troubles were over, but there was more than this. Frobisher had despatched the men; he might have done so at his daughter's request, and at least it showed a very friendly feeling. Then Andrew began to wonder how Frobisher could have known he needed help, but this was a matter of much less importance, and he turned to the packers. " If one of you would go down the next spur and look for Carnally I'd be glad," he eaid. ■ " I expect he's near the river, and he's pretty hungry." A man threw off his ■ load and set off rapidly downhill, while Andrew climbed with the others towards the neck, scarcely able to keep on his feet. His companions slackened their pace and glanced at him compassionately. Grossing the gap, they saw the light of Graham's fire in the gathering dusk, and when they neared the belt of timber Andrew waved his hand to a dark figure who appeared in an opening among the trunks. "No more trouble," he cried. "Help has arrived.''

A few minutes later Graham shook hands with the newcomers, whom he knew. "Boys," he said hoarsely, "now I see who you are, I know you made good time, and as it happens you hadn't much to spare. When did you leave?" One of them told'him, and he and Andrew looked astonished, while the packer laughed. "We certainly hustled," he said with a deprecatory air. " But I've been four years at the mill and never had trouble over charging my time. Your pay-sheet was square." "That/6 so," agreed his companion. "They might have laid me off a while last summer when we ran out of logs, but Mr. Graham fixed it so I kept my job." Andrew smiled at Graham, who looked confused. "If you do these things, you must take the consequences; but I've met people with shorter memories." • " Anyhow, we've got here ahead of the lodging" crowd and I'm mighty glad," said the first packer. "Those fellows think no body can break a trail unless he lives in the woods. Now you sit by quiet while we get supper.". Before the meal was ready Carnally arrived with the man who had gone to look for him, and the party feasted royally. When they had finished Carnally sighed with deep content. „ "I allow that I don't want to move, ho remarked. "I feel most too good to talk-but if the rest of you have anything to say. I'll try to listen." " What's your programme? one of the others asked. "We have tores enough to take us down, going easy." "I want two davs' rest," said Andrew. "Until they're up we'll do nothing_ but eat and lie'about the fire and smoke. Carnally looked up lazily. "That sounds nice, but I'm going to locate Mappin's cache before we start. The others began to talk to Graham, but Andrew did not know how long they Continued, for in a little while he was fast asleep. Thev broke camo on the third morning and when they crossed the neck Carnally divided the party, which had been joined by the loggers. Some he told to follow down one or two ravines at a distance which he had not searched, and then meet the others, whor would work along the ridge. Towards avening a man balled him and Andrew from a elope some way off, and when thev joined him led them into a deep hollow'. In the middle of it a small, barked fir projected from a snowy mound. ~ , . " It's the kind of place you d break a trail up if vou were trying to make the neck." the packer remarked. _ "It looks a good mad from here, tarnally assented. "We didn't get ( so far along, but we'll climb up a piece.' By and by the hollow died out into a snow slope, and when they had walked on a little further they lost sight of it. Then Carnally stopped and carefully looked about. " We might have struck that gulch first shot, but the chances were against it; you can only see it from below," he said to Andrew". "You want to remember that the line the fellows who made the cache would take would depend upon where they left the big loop of the lower river. Mappin was smart enough to see that. Now we'll have a look at the stores." * They proved to be sufficient in quantity and in excellent order when the cache was opened, but Carnally had expected this, and soon afterwards the party resumed the march.

CHAPTER XX. CARNALLY SEEKS SATISFACTION. Andrew reached the Landing physically exhausted and troubled by a heavy depression. The long-continued strain had left its mark on him, for having proposed the expedition, he felt responsible for the safety of his friends; and his strength and endurance deserted him shortly after the arrival of the rescue party. Relief had been followed by a severe reaction, which left him limp and nerveless, while the homeward march proved Jong and toilgome. Since they had food there was no longer the same necessity for haste, but the rigour of the weather forced the men to push on as fast as possible, ana Andrew found it difficult to emulate his rescuers' pace. Moreover, he was seriously troubled about Graham, whose foot appeared to be getting worse, and deeply disappointed with the result of his search. He had found the lode, but. so far as he had been able to test it, the ore did not promise much. Dusk was falling when they saw the lights of the settlement, ■ and as they passed the first house a man greeted them. After a word or two he ran on ahead, and following slowly, worn with the march, they found most of the inhabitants gathering in the snowy street. Eager helpers took their packs from them and seized the traces of the sledge; questions and congratulations were showered on them, and, to Andrew's annoyance, they l entered the town in a triumphal proces- [ sioa. He was plodding along, too tired

and listless to notice the remarks of the curious and sympathetic crowd, when Carnally touched his arm. "You can go straight to the hotel," he said. "I'll take Graham home." " No," said Andrew firmly ; " that's my business and it can't be shirked. You might send the doctor." Carnally disappeared among the crowd and Andrew went on, shrinking from vlie meeting with his comrade's.wife, though whe» the time came he found it less trying than he had feared. As they turned into a side street there was.a shout— ' ".Make room; let her pass! It's Mr 3. Graham!" ' The men in the traces stopped and Graham signed, to .them.';- . "You-might help me..'up. boys." ■ Tliey'/'got him on his "feet and fell back as a woman hurried;.towards'him. She fiungUier'arms'about his neck .and it was a moment or'two before saw Andrew. ''We have brought, him'back, but I'm afraid he's.a little the; jvors'e for wear," he said. ; ';■ ~.- - . .. '. "'.you have-brought' him- back." she cried. "That .is the greatest -tliirtg.".. Graharri! walked, along with her 'for a few ya.r.ds'. v and then stopped, his face contorted..: " . '- : - .- . ■;-,■ '•■' ' '■ ." If'..you'--don't ' mind:.': I'll' finish the journey, on the sledge.' "Mv.-foot's rather .sore.',', he said.-.■'.: ..••:,,-i'■ ■■'..■■;■'■.-..- ■•■When-they reached,.his' house he insisted" on ..getting .up. and after ■ telling Andrew"..to follow, limped in unhelped, but he. sat-down heavily.oh a couch...' •"'".lsuppose this mocassin-', had better' ■■come''-, off -now, "though it's-.going to- give' me trouble," he said, with,a .rueful smile. '■'"No." gaid> Andrew,.'" not until .the doctor comes;'he should.be here directly. I'd' like to "see him. '.Mrs. Graham, but you'll want to talk to your husband. May I wait in the other room?" She . let him go and spout an anxious half : lour. ■ He heard the doctor arrive and Mis. Graham hurry about the house —getting water and bandages, he thought. Then there was silence for a while, until the doctor entered the room where he was sitting. "His foot's in a very bad state," he said. "There's some risk of mortification, though I think it can be avoided. I'll bo able to tell you more in a day or two." ''Doyou know of any surgeon in Winnipeg or. Toronto you would like to brins? out?" 6

"There's a good man in Winnipeg, j] which is much nearer. On the whole, it l| might be advisable to get his opinion." "Thai wire'for him at once," said Andrew. " Send for a trained nurse if I on can be had." j | The doctor left and Andrew rose as Mrs ' j Graham came in. Mrs. Graham looked troubled. "I must [ try to be fair. You are really not to 1 blame; even if he hadn't met 'vou, he would have gone to look for the lode some) I day. 'then I'm confident vou took every I) care of him. But, after all—" '' "I know," said Andrew compassionately. Ij He was well and strong when I took! ; him away, and I have brought him back- I disabled. That can't be got over." He ' 1 paused and resumed in a diffident tone: j' "I feel responsible. There are things I cant put right—your distress, the pain ': your husband suffers, his regret at being! laid up helpless while his foot gets better, —but I must insist on making what) amends are in my power. I think vou understand." ""Yes," said Mrs. Graham, with a grateful glance and some confusion. "But we'll - talk of that later." Then she smiled. 'He sent you a message— are to mail the specimens to an assaye'r first thing." "I'll do so," said Andrew, turning towards the door. "I'll come back and! see how he's getting on early to-morrow ?" ' On reaching the hotel he sought Carnally. "Jake," he said, " you might fix things with the packers; give them any) bonus you think fit over regulation wages.. Then, because we owe them more than wa - can pay in dollars, you had better geh up a supper and dance they could bring their wives to." * ' "It's a good idea; they'll like that," ' Carnally replied. I'll see about -tomorrow. I need a rest to-night, and! there's a little job I want to be fit for id the morning." ! _ Andrew was too weary to ask him whatl" . A -" it was and after sending a message to Fro-> ' ■•- bisher and getting supper went off to bed.. , Rising late next day he went to Graham's % and spent an hour or two there, and by doine 60 missed a scene which caused soma sensation in the town. About the middle of the morning Mappin .. was sitting in his office, which was situated' ; above a store, opposite the second-class! '4 § hotel. The latter was full, for seme log-* • gers had come in the previous night, and!' \ a number of railroad 'carpenters, whose ■-• ; work a snowstorm had interfered with* -| were staying there. Mappin, who had''' ] heard of Andrew's return, was in' a 1 ; thoughtful mood, though, he had so fas); l avoided meeting with any of the party.-' He could not, however, continue to do $q,"~\: and he felt that he might as well get the .; interview with Allinson over as soon as '"'■' . possible. Even if Allinson ■ suspected! '"'. treachery he had no proof, and the worst) : '' charge he could make would be one of '' carelessness. On the whole it had been al relief to see that the man had escaped, "T ' because he had acted in the heat of pas j "'' 3 sion when he cut off his supplies and had! afterwards experienced a twinge of re- * - morse. Mappin felt that he was a match! 1 for the fellow, and he had gone a need-i less length in plotting to destroy him. ' : He was thinking over the matter -when' he heard somebody ask for him in the! V store, through which one had to pass .toT .' ". reach his office. Then there were foot- ;. steps on the stairs and he looked up iii surprise as Carnally walked in. - It was) ,-, :; Allinson he had expected to see. "_ 'fy', Carnally was smartly dressed, and! ..,■ (hough his -face was thin and worn it word ';,', . a look of satisfaction that puzzled Mappin. '.*.' : "Where's your boss this morning?", hd ~. . inquired. "I've been waiting for him." 1. -.' "At Graham's," said Carnally, sitting t 1 down. "I've come along instead. Mr.-".. ) Allinson's got into a habit of leaving mat-*,,.._ ters to me. There are things Ido betted than he can. I'm not so fastidious as ho. •• - is." ..... "Then let me know what you want." "It's about those stores you sent up. Mr. ,•; ■ Allinson told you where to make the) ' f j depots?" "Yes; I carefully put if down."' "Got the paper or the notebook?" "I can't say where the notebook is, but] I believe I could find it." Carnally smiled, as if lie were enjoying) the situation. "If you produce the book it will be because it doesn't agree with what Mr. Allinson says ho told you, but that! wouldn't prove much. You'ro capable ' of writing down what you meant to do and) , not what he said. If you're not able toi , find it the reason is that you thoughts of the trick you played us after you saw! ' him." "Then you didn't find the stores I sent) as easily as you expected?" "No; you know we didn't." Mappin, who had plenty of courage, looked hard at him. "Well, what about! it?" "I know the hand you're playing from} it's a pretty good one. Mr. Allinson believes he gave you orders to make tho) depots in certain places; you allow ha told you somewhere else, and there was! nobody about when you were talking to decide the thing. Somehow an unfortunate mistake was made." "It looks like that," said Mappin, who was rendered a little uneasy by the man's! ready acquiescence in the situation. "Sure thing." Carnally cheerfully as- . sented. "You fixed it all so there's only) one way of getting after you; but I won'tl grumble; because it's the one I like." Ho rose and his expression changed. "The! mistake you meant to mako came mighty! near starving three men to death. Standi up and answer for it, you blasted hog!" . "So that's your line?" Mappin did not move as he rapidly con- - sidered his course. Overbearing as he) was, he did not often (rive way to angeri • unless his passions were strongly roused. A brawl with Carnally could lead to no useful result, and it would attract undesirable) . 1 attention. ■ "You have hit it first time. Got feet, haven't you? Yon seem to want soma ! stirring up." Carnally reached for an ink- ' pot, and flung it across the office at Map- * pin's head. "Sony I missed," he added. ._..,, , "But I've spoiled your clothes." 1 Do you mean to go on with this fool- L- ' ing?" Mappin rose with a savage frown. •*; : "Sure," replied Carnally. "If I can't £>■; ' wake you any other way, Ill' fire your • i office fixings out of the window. Guess 1 that will bring the boys around and I'll ''"-;' ' be glad to tell them what the trouble's:".';: ' about." - 1 l (To be continued daily..) / . ■•' •"-•..■-'. .'■ : '' ..'"v.; .•.'.,; .-.;..- -. vjr£t%. .-•■..-■ ,' -.■\'.-.^--*.-v.-,;V -. ■■. ■ .'■:;-;-:■ ..•■,-: -\ /. - .