Part 4 (2/2)

he added suddenly. ”Let's lock up and go home.”

In a few moments the excited aviators and the well-satisfied Colonel Howell emerged from the aerodrome just as young Count Zept ran up.

”Are you fellows going to stay here all night?” he exclaimed, almost out of breath. ”I thought you told me you'd meet me at seven o'clock at the car. Father's been there for a half hour. We're waiting to take you home.”

It was necessary at once to introduce Colonel Howell to young Zept. As the oil man heard the name, his face brightened anew.

”You're not the son of Jack Zept, are you?” the colonel asked as he grasped the young man's hand.

”John C. Zept is my father's name,” answered the Count. ”He's a horse ranchman. Do you know him?”

The colonel chuckled. ”Of course,” he answered hastily. ”I met him on the upper Peace; shot sheep with him in '95. Forgot he lived here. If I can join you, I'd like to meet your father. You can put me down at the King George. I think,” the smiling colonel added, turning to Norman and Roy, ”that you boys had better go home, talk it over with your fathers, and I'll look you up a little later in the evening.”

”Anywhere you like,” exclaimed the young Count, ”the machine's waiting.

Father'll be glad to see an old friend.”

CHAPTER IV

COLONEL HOWELL DISCOVERS AN OLD FRIEND IN JACK ZEPT

Although it was well after seven o'clock, it was wholly light, for in Calgary in July dusk does not come until after ten o'clock. While Norman looked at his watch to confirm the delay, Colonel Howell remarked:

”It seems good to get back to long hours again. When we get up to Fort McMurray,” and he chuckled, ”you boys can read your newspapers, if you can find any, out of doors after eleven o'clock.”

”Fort McMurray?” broke in young Zept. ”Where's that?”

”Way up in the wilderness,” responded Norman, laughing. ”Looks as if we're going to beat you into the northland.”

Instantly the young Count caught Norman by the arm and stopped him.

”What are you talking about?” he demanded, his face a study in acute interest and surprise.

”Tell you later,” answered Norman. ”Your father's waiting.”

Far from satisfied, the exuberant young Austrian followed the others to Mr. Zept's waiting car. He was not in error as to his father's annoyance.

The old ranchman, a heavy cigar buried in the corner of his mouth, watched the approach of the party with a scowl. The moment he saw Colonel Howell, however, this expression politely changed. The ranchman did not at once recognize his old shooting friend but without waiting for an introduction he sprang with agility from his handsome motor.

It required but a word, however, for him to place the stranger and then the delay was forgotten. The joviality of the veteran horse raiser took the place of his petulance and, ignoring the young men, the old friends stood arm in arm for ten minutes recounting the past. The result was inevitable. After Colonel Howell had been catechised as to his present location and plans, he could not refuse an invitation to pa.s.s the remainder of his short stay in Calgary at the Zept home.

When the two men at last took the rear seat in the car, Norman and Roy in front of them, and Paul seated alongside the chauffeur, orders were given to drive to the King George.

Avoiding the traffic streets and trolley lines, the big car was turned south through the suburban hills. In the meantime, Paul had lost no opportunity to probe into the mystery of Norman's remark. In return, Norman had rapidly sketched an outline of Colonel Howell's proposition and of the present situation. Norman's rapid words seemed at first to have rather a depressing effect on young Zept, and then, when the whole idea had been put before him, his usual animation rose to what was almost excitement.

No sooner had the motor found its way into the broad suburban streets, than Paul almost sprang over the seat back and in a moment had located himself between his father and Colonel Howell on the rear seat.

”Father,” he began impulsively, interrupting some old-time talk, ”do you know that Mr. Grant and Mr. Moulton are going to Fort McMurray with Colonel Howell?”

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