Part 22 (2/2)

Down they went, each turn of the path bringing theht,” said Lucile at last

”There are no tracks in the snow,” added Marian, a moment later

”It's boarded up,” said Lucile, as they cae whether there was more of relief or of disappointment in the tone in which she said this

They stood there staring at the house It was a nice house, a bungalow such as one ht desire for a summer home in the mountains or at the seashore

”Who do you suppose brought all that fine lumber up here and built that house?” said Lucile

”I wonder who,” echoed Marian

They took a turn about it All the s had been boarded up with rough lumber There were two doors These were fastened with padlock and chain An examination of the locks showed that keys had not been used in theht by poles and so the rocky shore She walked in that direction

”Marian, co ”Look!

Here's a whole native village! They've built their ho into the side of the mountain Must be homes for a hundred people!”

”And not a soul here! How strange!”

”Not even a dog!” Lucile's own voice sounded strangely hollow to her, as if echoed by the walls of a tomb

CHAPTER XV

TWO RED RIDING HOODS

Before Phi struck out for the unknown land which had so suddenly thrust itself into his line of vision, he paused to ask himself the question whether he had co himself unable to answer the question, he at once set plans for reaching that land

The rifle, now a useless incuainst an up-ended cake of ice That shore, if not lifted high by a e, was at least tenwho have appeased their hunger for three days with two small birds, is no mean distance

Bravely they struck out Now they crossed a broad, level pan and now cli to send thee the water that lay at its base

Exercising every precaution, the boy made his way slowly forward More than once he paused to wait for the dog, tierous crevice or assisting hi a particularly difficult barrier

”I know you'd help me if you could,” he said with a so together”

Time after time, dizzy-headed and faint, he sat down to rest, only to rise after a ed to shake himself free from the spells of drowsiness which the chill wind and brisk Arctic air threw over him

”We--we'll make it, old boy We--we'll make it,” he repeated over and over