Part 19 (1/2)

he gasped. ”Horse fell over me when I tried to turn him loose.” The half-articulate words which followed suspiciously suggested that the sufferer was cursing somebody, and I caught the name of Lane before he lapsed into semi-consciousness.

”It's pretty simple,” one of the onlookers said. ”The way Ormesby fixed that door, it shut itself. He got some bones smashed, and was turned half-silly by the shock. Couldn't make us hear him even if he had sense enough. My place is the nearest, and I'll take him along.”

I heard my name called softly, and saw Boone standing apart from the rest. ”I want to ask why you spoke as you did a little while ago?” he said.

”I did not stop to reflect just then, but I'll hear your explanation if you care to volunteer one before I apologize,” I said.

”I was camped under a bluff with the wagon when I saw the blaze, and as the distance was not great, I came in on foot,” was the answer. ”That is the simple truth. Do you believe it?”

”Yes,” I said, for his manner impressed me. ”In turn, you also hinted something.”

”I was giving you a warning,” said Boone. ”You are dealing with a dangerous man, and can't you see that if there is any doubt concerning the fire's origin a charge might be worked up against you? Be careful what you say; but as I see the sergeant yonder, you need not mention my presence unless it is necessary.”

I alluded to Haldane's desire to see him, and, when he vanished, followed the rest into the presence of Sergeant Mackay, who, ubiquitous as usual, had mysteriously appeared. He sat motionless in his saddle, with slightly compressed lips, though his keen eyes moved along the encircling faces. It was evident that he was making an official inquiry, and the owner of the homestead was speaking.

”My name is Niven, late of the Brandon district, and I purchased this property recently,” he said.

”Any partners?” asked the sergeant; and I noticed a gleam of what appeared malicious satisfaction in the other's face as he answered: ”No.

You will find my name recorded as sole owner. All was right when I turned in about ten o'clock, but I didn't notice the time when my hired man Wilkins roused me to say the house was burning. Had too much to think about. Can't suggest any cause for the fire, and it doesn't count much, anyway, for the result is certain. House and stable burned out--and all uninsured.”

”Had ye any other hired man than Wilkins?” interposed the sergeant; and Niven answered: ”No. Stable didn't seem to be burning when I first got up, but Wilkins said it was swept by sparks and he'd get the horses out.

One of them must have knocked him down, and he was only found at the last minute.”

”Who was the first man ye met when ye went out?” asked the sergeant.

”My predecessor--Ormesby,” said Niven.

Mackay appeared to meditate before he spoke again: ”Where did ye meet him, and what did he say?”

”Slipping around the corner of a shed, and he said he'd see me burnt before he stirred a hand to help,” was the prompt answer. Then Mackay questioned several others before he turned to me.

”How did ye happen to come to Gaspard's Trail, Henry Ormesby?”

”I was riding out from Bonaventure to intercept the freighter and saw the blaze,” I answered indignantly. ”I certainly refused to help Niven at first, for I had little cause for goodwill towards him or the man behind him; but afterwards I saved most of his working beasts.”

There was a murmur of a.s.sent from the bystanders, but the sergeant, disregarding it, spoke again: ”Did ye meet the freighter?”

”No,” I said bluntly.

Mackay smiled. ”Ye did not. I pa.s.sed him an hour gone by on the Buffalo trail. What was your business with him?”

”To ask him for a package.”

”All that should be easily corroborated,” was the answer; and I was glad that the examination was over, for, remembering Boone's warning, it appeared that my answers might give rise to unpleasant suspicions. It also struck me that, in the hurry and confusion, n.o.body had noticed him or remembered it if they had done so, while, somewhat strange to say, after the last brief interview I had full confidence in his statement that he knew nothing about the origin of the fire.

”I'm thinking that will do in the meantime. Chapleau, ye'll ride in to the depot and wire for a surgeon. Now, boys, are any of ye willing to take Niven home?” asked Mackay.

Apparently none of them were willing, though at last two offers were reluctantly made. It was the only time I ever saw the prairie settlers deficient in hospitality; but the man's conduct had confirmed their suspicions as to his connection with Lane, which was sufficient to prejudice the most generous. ”Maybe he would be comfortable if I took him along with me,” Mackay said dryly.