Part 32 (2/2)
Diane fired a question at her point-blank. ”Have you met _your_ Peter? Is that why you hang back?”
The color flamed into Sheba's face. ”Of course not. You do say the most outrageous things, Di.”
They had driven to Willow Creek over the river road. They returned by way of the hills. Macdonald drew up in front of a cabin to fill the radiator.
He stood listening beside the car, the water bucket in his hand.
Something unusual was going on inside the house. There came the sound of a thud, of a groan, and then the crash of breaking gla.s.s. The whole window frame seemed to leap from the side of the house. The head and shoulders of a man projected through the broken gla.s.s.
The man swept himself free of the debris and started to run. Instantly he pulled up in his stride, as amazed to see those in the car as they were to see him.
”Gordon!” cried Diane.
Out of the house poured a rush of men. They too pulled up abruptly at sight of Macdonald and his guests.
A sardonic mirth gleamed in the eyes of the Scotchman. ”Do you always come out of a house through the wall, Mr. Elliot?” he asked.
”Only when I'm in a hurry.” Gordon pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at some gla.s.s-cuts on his face.
”Don't let us detain you,” said the Alaskan satirically. ”We'll excuse you, since you must go.”
”I'm not in such a hurry now. In fact, if you're going to Kusiak, I think I'll ask you for a lift,” returned the field agent coolly.
”And your friends-in-a-hurry--do they want a lift too?”
Big Bill Macy came swaying forward, both hands to his bleeding head.
”He's a spy, curse him. And he tried to kill me.”
”Did he?” commented Macdonald evenly. ”What were you doing to him?”
”He can't sneak around our claim under a false name,” growled one of the miners. ”We'll beat his d.a.m.n head off.”
”I've had notions like that myself sometimes,” a.s.sented the big Scotchman. ”But I think we had all better leave Mr. Elliot to the law.
He has Uncle Sam back of him in his spying, and none of us are big enough to buck the Government.” Crisply Macdonald spoke to Gordon, turning upon him cold, hostile eyes. ”Get in if you're going to.”
Elliot met him eye to eye. ”I've changed my mind. I'm going to walk.”
”That's up to you.”
Gordon shook hands with Diane and Sheba, went into the house for his coat, and walked to the stable. He brought out his horse and turned it loose, then took the road himself for Kusiak.
A couple of miles out the car pa.s.sed him trudging townward. As they flashed down the road he waved a cheerful and nonchalant greeting.
Sheba had been full of gayety and life, but her mood was changed. All the way home she was strangely silent.
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