A MATING IN THE WILDS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 8

A MATING IN THE WILDS

* ■ *\ # CBy OTTWELL BINNS.) #j a- #'

CHAPTER, XXIV.-Continued. _ " Better for you not to know, Stane. I'm going to do. the straight tiling foronco in. my life, ns you will discover presently. Don't you worry about me. I am plumb at tlie end of things and I know it. But don't communicate any suspicions you may happen to have to | Anderton. He has set un that precious | duty of his as a fetish, worships it, as you heard. Think of Dandy Anderton of the old days on his knees at the shrine of duty!" He gave a little laugh, and then continued: "But I don't want, to be. offered ou his altar, and I won't be. You can bank on that!" He broke off and looked towards Helen, hovering on the edge of the shadows. "If you've any sense, Stane, you'll go and persuade Helen to lie clown and rest, she must be worn out by now!" Stane nodded and turned awp.y, and after a little more walking to and fro, Helen Bought the tent, whilst Stane, after a word or two with Anderton and Jean Benard, rolled himself in his sleening furs, though with little hopn of sleep. He lay awake some time and frequently opened his eyes to see Ainley still bent over his pocket-book, but presently drowsiness came over him. The last time 'his eyes alighted on Ainlev thejattcr had ceased to write, and was sitting staring into the fire with sombro eyes. Then sleep overtook him completely. He awoke in the grey dawn with Anderton's voice in his ears, and with a powdery snow driving into his "eyes. •'What "

" Ainley's gone. Quit completely. < I left one of the Indians to watch—not that I thought there was any very real ' need—hut the beggar slept, and Ainley evidently took the opportunity to holt. ' "Has he taken clogs?" asked Stana quickly. "No. nor anything else that I can' 1 see._ He hns. even left bis pocket-book,. behind with some pages bent over and addressed to you. Here it is! Out of the wood it must be snowing like the very devil, and he can't go far. I'ni going after him with Jean Benard, and I want yon to look after Chigmok and these braves of Ainlcy's." "All right. Anderton! But you won't catch Ainley, you know." "Why. not?" ' * ■ ■ ' "Because," was the reply givenwitb quiet significance.- "T. am "afraid that Ainlev has gone very far indeed." A light of comprehension came into the. policeman's eyes, and he whistled thoughtfully. '"You think- "■ he began and stopped. "I am quite sure that Ainley bas started on the longest trail of all. Why ' didn't he take ; dogs? How long can