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oft-€1,- a é++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++ ++++++. : 4. I Not Guilty ; accesses” Or, A Circa H§H+H++++ W++b§ ‘x‘ t CHAPTER IX.â€"-(C< lllillllcd). “Of course." the Major continued. “it will begin to look fishy if they don't tum u.) very soon. but. on the othcr hand. why on earth could one suppose tllt')’ had any band in tilts affair. The girl's letters. and the father's. too, are most. friendly. There was certainly. 11p to the last moment. no quarrel on. insides Carlton was very rich. tlle girl was about to marry him. the father was agreeableâ€"why on earth should- they murder him? No. my idea is that the blow came from some other direction. You can guess what I llfeanâ€"wllat do you think ‘3" Gordon nodded. “Another woman?" he said. “If you are right. if this man Carlâ€" ton was leading a fast life. a double. life. a’» you suggest. certainly there might be another woman who was jealous of this marriage, and certainly she might! have done. or instigated. this murder." The Major nodded with a relieved ex- presston. “I am glad you agree with me." he , said. “I think that way will lie our chance. But why the deuce have those pmple disappeared. and why don't they turn up again now that every paper has an account of this murder! However." he continued. taking a pull at the whisky and soda. “in worrying myself like this I am unjust to my men. who really are] pretty smart fellows after all. You sha’n't have a laugh at our expense. Gordon. over this affair. I promise you. We'll soon unearth these Gaunts. and if they won’t tell us anything. wily we'll try another track. that's all !" Gordon left the Major's quarters with rather a heavy heart. He was sure he had been frank with llilll. but it was equally probable that he had not by ally means told him all me police knew. He could not. resist a feeling of anxiety. 0:? even wonse. as he realized that the authorities already had the Gaunts on their list. and were engaged ill trying to trace them. flow quickly. in reality. they had put their finger on the right place. in spite of the Major's apparent depressmn. But it was a relief to Gor- don to feel that theydid not at prescntl suspcte the Gaunts of the crime. Yet Gordon knew that, if they had the knowâ€" ledge he himself possessed, and were aware that the young girl was present that night in the Regent Street rooms. they would not refuse. its-he had done. to accept her confession, but would at once believe her guilty. ' For a moment Gordon had hoped that - 0 saw a glimmer of light himself in the lajcrs theory of the jealous woman. but he could not convince himself. He already fancied that there had been three persons present at the murder of Miss Gaunt's, fiance; how was it possible to imagine that there had been a fourth. the jealous woman. and that she com- mitted the deed in their presence. lllld \vlly.- if this had been the act of a rival. should the young girl accuse her- self of it ‘2" Yet ill spite of the ideas which ran through his mind. amt made him do- pressed and anxious. Gordon still stub- bornly refused for a moment to credit Miss Gaunt‘s story. She was innocent. he was sure. and he would prove it in spite of herself. in spite of every one; but the police were on the scent; he must act. and quickly too. if danger was to be averted. and where to turn first he hard- ly knew. However. it must be nearly time for the gambling house to Open. and he decided to go there. and. before doing anything else. to see if there were not a chance of discovering Something more concerning Mr. Usher. who. deep in his own lnind. hc‘bclicvrd to hold the key of the mystery. [to experienced no difficulty on this occasion ill passing the portals of the. house all Park Lane. His name had been “put up" by Billy. his~ nominal en- trullce fee of ll pound had been paid. tln.‘ porter recognized him. and he found the way clear. He was. ll-')\V€\'L‘t', rather to.) early for the bucarut, which had not yet com» mcnt‘cd. Indeed. when he entered he. found that he was the only guest who t Mistake. ++++++++ ++++++++++++ . +++++++++++++++++++ ++ + ++++++++++H++++++++++ swells; but him! I wouldn't make too friendly with him. if I might offer you a ti )." GtIereu's eye brightened. bill be tel ll mild curiosity only. “Why?” he asked. “Is there anything wrong with him “Wrong? Well. he‘s done for. that's all. He‘s just about broke. He may c'ulllC‘ here to-night. or he may not. It dupeâ€"lids on if he can raise a few pounds to try his luck with. But if he docs. take my word for if, he’ll lose. You sect He's done.“ “ tut his luck may change." The proprietor shook his head solemnâ€" “Not if." he said. “He‘s done. We know that. kind hero. Not that. we care. llr's welcome to win all we‘ve got it he run; but he won't." “You are. quite a prophet then.‘ George. 'emused'at. the man‘s tone. ‘ “Been at it all my lifeâ€"d mean thls business. not the prophetic onceâ€"and we get to know something. Take my word for it. Captain. when a man comes to where Usher has come. he had better go out and hang himselfâ€"or else glve up ill 7 cards. And he won't. give them up. I shouldn‘t be mrry if he did. but if he will come. we can‘t help ourselves. you know. He's a member. alld he‘s free to punt so long as he pays has money down." “Do you know anything of him besides his bad luck?" asked Gordon. seeing that a little curiosity under the circum- stances was not likely to create a bad illipression. “No. We don't bother tll‘llllt mcmbers' private concerns so long as they play the. game. I did hear his people had been rich once. and swells, as i said. He was going to get married just lately. I heard. but whether it'll come off or not. I don't know. She‘s got some lllOJc)’. I believe. Poor girl. A Miss Gaunt her name was." “Miss Gaunt !" change color. “Yes. that was the name. He wanted to do a little loan on the strength of the engagement. you know. but. the Security was not. good enough. Major. though I'm always glad to accommodate any of our members who want a little ‘l'rady' 0.1 a good note. But. you see. there‘s many a slip between the cup and the lip and [don't know Miss t'ialzut’novcr heard of her. No. no. I don't do that. kind of business; chi whlll‘.’ But. than all I know about your man. llowcv-cr. he'll pcrhapsbc here solln. or Mllllt‘ of our other members may he able to tell you something more. Friend of yours. you say ‘i" “I was interested in him because of his name," said Gordon. illlt‘l‘ a moâ€" nlcnt's hesitation. “I don‘t know him." At that moment two mcn lll cveuing dress strolled into the mum. and. taking the proprietors attention. suvt‘d Gordon from further embarrassment. ltc had evidently got to the bottom of the pro- ll‘ictor's information. and he did not wish to be questioned ill his. tlzl'll. affec- l y Y said felt himself Gordon CHAPTER X. The room commenced to fill up. and soon the game of baccarat was in full progress; but Gordon did not hasten to lake a.lland in it. the was very little of a gambler. and his attention was. br- sidcs. flllly occupied in watching the door for Mr. Usher; bill as the night (ll't‘\\' on he almost. COtlllllPllt‘Hl to (les- puir of that individuals arrival. and 1') fear that it would have llt‘t‘ll to-l much fortune to chance upon him at the first attempt. l-‘ol'tunc, however. was upon his side that evening. and. by and by. kinking up from the table where th.‘ play had become high enough to attlurt his atten- tion. he found hilllsclf face t~l face with the object of his pursuit. A quick glance assured him that things were not so bad with Mr. List. r. on this night at least. as the DI'ODI‘lC‘LH' h'ld sug« goslod. ft-r hilh quilc it cheerful (‘xpl‘t'rwi‘ith and by the pile of chips which hr lunt pur- Pt-t tn ‘3‘}.“l‘llml'i‘llflfi it'll] “to I‘m’ chased and placed below) llilu ml the plmt‘m d“a|““g “Wt”: “'06 “'Ut'iitmg table. it was evident that from shill”- hl;. back before the bra. and contcm- “ppm m up mronls ho had aum-m-dmt in plating affectionately his gilded walls. The fat. Jewish individual stilulod him ccurtcously, but without enthusiasm. and invited him to a share of the fire. t “Good evening. Captain." he said] with ll glance at Gordon's bl-ollzcd lint“;- hcad. where the forage cap had left its mark. “A little quiet lo-ulght. but things i will look up very soon. This is afoul the time when our lllcllltrrs begin to come. Are you going to how u llultcl'l’" intention of meeting someone I saw hrl‘c' the other night." i “Ah. yes. you had a little llll (if ltltlxl that evening. I recollect you. t con-t gratuillte you on your initiation. (Zap-t tuill. etl‘.’ Oh. yes. t‘oinnct. \\'c don‘t mind. bless you. Soxnmllc’s got to \vin.‘ and why not you. ch 2’" “Why not 2"” returned Gordon. its l “as saying. I hoped to meet soluqu cue til-night in whom tâ€"«l lake an ill-3 forest. I funcyl must have x some of his pulplc: bllt. perhaps. voll can give me some till-\‘l'lllillitdl about hinzmll 3th". tislu‘r?" The proprietor gruntclt. “\\'rll. vnu may have known his pmple." he slid. wildlus very likely. l | .oppositc to tho gambler. l'lldtllllltlfl quite a handsome ullmllnt with which to tempt his fortune. .\lllln.~t involuntarily. thudoll followed hi; example. purchased it quantity of t-i-llntcl's. and tuck hi; l-larr ill titl‘it‘. llut he seated himself at th-- \i-l.» TllOI‘C \\.‘l-. it] 1-0 u struggle Iciuocn llilll and tho l.l1tll w from that time forth he felt. and .\ llan instinct llludc him desire h. cunllln-ncc tin. batttc ill this~ lllllllncr. be a Sign of future victory or defeat: and he cnllllllellcrd to play with Blitlusl «1" till“ Nye; and nervous fingers lunch on: ! sparkling his opponv‘nt. illl. alas: for a lime. fortune entirlly favored the side opposite to Gordon, twrnsionalty the bunker wan. gun-rally ‘mtss u was minced by “Bl” I'.~ll as side was sllCCO>SttlL but ti u'don‘s l stake. “inch by ttla- lti‘l‘._\' ~ I ’ sfdr invariably lost. It Illflt’lt‘l‘l‘tl not what he did. whether he play-xi high uf‘ known t law. or whether his side lmd good mm.» . and l..- felt that he hunt .-.‘:'l or bad. the bunker was always vint. 1‘j. nus. and Usher‘s face became mar-l and more smiling, \vllilc Gordon biglln tn grow anxious and doubtful. \\'ith a superstition which Ill.- could ' ingly. His wllitc. llilllflbtlllll‘ the “ore. Hit“ 1le \\'ll\' Elm “t.t“l‘thilll_\‘.' returned Gordon: “trill ‘0 ! >llllflgll‘ wont: whether fortune incllnml ' tllblr. telI you the truth I came rather with the! p. m,- Sido .,,. p. u... on...“ I... M. “HM; self. he had decided to take the result of this duol its an omen for the future. and the signs were already going terribly against. him. The question of finance also commenced to trouble hilu slightly. not that he minded losing. for he could afford for once to do so, bill. that the stock of money which he had brought with him was dwindling very rapidly. amt he did not wish to lose sight of Usher while he went home to replenish his. pockets. Suddenly an incident attrnctcd his at- ention. One of the players on Usher's side made a laughin remark to that ill- (livtdual. and pointe to an object which lay before him on the table. Gordon tanked at. this object. and saw that it was an old and rather battered silver pencil-case. It was placed beside Usher's pile of counters. and every now and then he touched it carressingly. “Yes. it's my inasmut." he said laugh- in reply to his companion's re- mark. “lt always brings me luck. hill 1 lost. it for a time until today. flow- evcr. it‘s doing its work pretty thorough- ly after its rest.” Almost smiling as he did so, Gordon instinctively put. his hand to his pocket. Mounted in silver. he always carried with him a bullet. which had struck his watch-chain ill South Africa. and which ill some miraculous manner had spared his life. If fetishes were in fashion. why not set Ills bullet again-st Usher's pencil- casc ! To his disappointmant a search in all lle pockets showed him that he had left the bullet at. home. but his fingers en- f"<‘tllnt€l‘ll‘ig another and unexpected ob< jcct. he drew it forlh.and lvokcd at it with a sudden thrill. It was the knife with which Carlton had been murdered. It.) had placed it hastily in his bucket on that eventful night. alld ill all the anx- iety and cxcitcmcnt of the subsequent. time. he had never thought of examin- ing it further. Pale and disturbed. he was about to hastily return it to his pocket. when a strange resolve came into his mind. The weapon. ghastly as it would have been open. with the blood now dried upon it:: blade. was closed and comparatively innocent looking. th Gordon knew that anyone wb ) had evcr owned it must recognize it. and he felt if it were pos- sible that Usher had committed that aw- ful deed. as at. moments he half sus- pected. the sight of the knife facing him here on the table of the gambling house must draw from him some sign of guilt or terror. ' Did it or not? Gordon could hardly say. lie placed the knife upon the green cloth before him. and be fixed his eyes firmly upon Usher's face. The. incident occurred at a pause in the game. and there was nothing to distract attention from his manoeuvres. All theâ€"players looked up and noted his action. some smiled and nodded-«but Usher? Gordon's eyes were glued to his white face. but so firmly were his features under his control, or so little interest. did he take in Gordon's proceedings, that for a moment he could hardly have sworn that Usher rccognizcd the knife and trembled. And yet a moment later he could have vowed he. did. It was not that the white lace turned whiter; that was almost .illnk.ssil)lc, or that the hard green eyes wavcrcd and moved 'rcstltssly. for they were never still: it was not really that there was any definite or cxplicable cause that. made him feel that the stroke h-l had played had lccll a good one; but something in the man’s whole atti- tudc. which seemed to grow suddenly tense and rigid. in the whiteness of his lv'llll(':\'ll‘>. which turned color instantly. tin if under the pressure of hi»- clenched linguist. and one deep swift breath in- »sflllltfy repressed, which as be I‘Clllt‘lllJ l‘t'l't‘tl :llltl noted “1011‘ made (image‘s llf‘lll‘l lll‘ill faster. ' ’l‘hx‘ lt‘tlsiOlI was over immediately. tlu~ game brg‘ul again. the two fetishes wrrc forgotten by all bill fllcjsr rcspcc~ f:\r owlzcrs. lull it was cvidcnt that 0. gm of l-hztngr had taken place. \\'in~til'l~ Gordon's fetish lltlll virtues glcutly >.lt1)l"l'l()l‘ to that of Usher. wheâ€" lul-k often docs. it is inqmssihlo to say. but it in c l'tlllll that from the l'uonlcnt t'sbcl'R lurk clitil'rly deserted lliln. illltl tlt'».ll dcscrtinn he completely lust his trad, tb- playcd llt‘il\'ll_\‘ for u tilnr. ton! Illtll't‘ :lnl more. then drew in h‘s h :l-n< wirn 52.1- a couple of rounds thrt idc turned Ill his favor. plunged i! old then calulln-m-ld a fatal sccsuw. which brought. lltlll out 21 loser llt every coup. tnll‘dtn on it's >l 'c contrived to hold his. own. but his :th‘llticll was wholly occupied ill watt hing t's‘n-l'.’ whose green cyrs llU\\' lllt‘l his 0i':'l'~i0ll&ll_\' with an expression Gordon c ll.i.l not help fancy- illg utmost venomous. “lll‘ l‘ecngllizcs lln- t-.~li' :t’ H thought 'ln‘ Ltt‘ltf'C to think ll<1\\' ! Home by if. and he'll end by thinking us. cvlllbition of it pure :i‘cidclli, l sus‘ wt. ltclnvvnr. things are pl’ngrcssillg favorably; we'll innit all-d soc l" lie was dustiucd tn get It” more stills- ;factlon for the lib llurilt. l; winner. as Et’sllpl'. \vhow \vv-lz- l.il\\.‘ «Indrâ€" ' nu.le rafter b.'ill;{ hi» “it xi)- y l lth‘a" :: |'\ l I ll til...l« :lppnnln‘d wallirntv lulu.- .:l lumdu‘dwn. and 14:” in: up til-l aldllll t'l'llllldllt of lll\ r‘:ll!llc':'.s. l'tl\.‘ from the ty Rlil‘t'l'i. '. L ;' ll » lll- llild (ml-dull fall it icmld ilul'diy tin-‘w wind to at... I llt‘it\')' ill-(til the lullllti. .mlld nut llffnl-l llpzlnl to li:~~ t'dlrl‘. and he row qlli'kt) itllil mild» in: H..- ll“ yr. Iivi'll tlx’ ln- ruin-llle it. in- Hum“! the voice I f tilt‘ fut p: print n' I‘illl~ till: illlCl' hilll. and h» on; uldiglll tv llllt'll teal-k and return thunk.» \tulv'l‘ lll ‘. “ lzil ‘lltt‘l‘t‘am‘tl t'(‘)ll5itl{l'itllly Ill \" . . _ 'l‘lp- .lullly ilznl lil'tit. iii-‘ll of I‘ilhdllllL; tli< lnlln. ".t l in‘ 3th" from tl'ill"lif'.‘llf’1\'l'v 1 Hi) llfih‘n '\\l‘l'|‘ wt 1.4-: ting till-l ttw strut-i. h‘ \;l'\. [Ul'fll of Lisllur la‘l'll't‘ 3...ll ii". I! I helii've “103' 2111‘, tarntly have acknowldcgcd even to him- hgllt. tllcr the luck had changed naturally, as; more humin ~;tIll when it turned again.i ll recovery. titll‘dun. “and the lule hi»? the poixolr lid having it. but ii Illtl~ii pllzztl- llllll like- lallt |.:‘. ~'gllt “firm-:11. t t t ' t i l l t | t t 1": “I have got him_ this time." thought Gordon, following closely. "and now at least I may discover something of in- forest." it was evident. that on this occasion Mr. Usher had no fear of being follow- ed. or no desire to escape supervision. for he strolled on slowly without look- ing behind him. and Gordon had no difficulty in keeping him ill view. The chase on this occasion was a short one. Usher made his way down Park Lane. turned into Piccadilly..and at the entrance of the Bath Hotcl. he turned for a moment and looked around him. Gordon had been prepared for this to happen at any time. and he had bccn keeping carefully in the shadow of the houses. He did not. therefore. think that Usher had seen him. or had any idea that he was being followed. yet. a queer gesture which the gambler made a: he. rang the bell of the hotel remained ill his memory and slightly puzzled him. When the door of the hotel had open- ed ‘and admitted hiln. Gordon waited a moment or two. and then rang the bell in his turn. “Is Mr. L‘shcr staying here 7" he asked the hall-porter. who appeared presently. "Yes. sir; just come ill. sir. Shall I say you want to see him 'i." “No. thanks; it does not matter." re- turned Gordon quickly. “I will call to- nn.rr0vv." And he fumed away. “He is living there," he thought. “and l(â€"m()l‘l‘0\\' I will go and see him. He recognizes that knife, I am certain. but I must think out some good excuse before tackling him. or I shall arouse his sus- picions and lose my chance. As he turned back to make his way homewards. a man brushed against him. George did not notice the fellow at the time. but as he approached his house in Regents Park. the same thing occur- red again. and George, taking a quick look at the man fancied that, he recog- nized his features. Unless he was mis- taken. it was one of the club servants. til) man who had charge of the players’ coats and hats. This man had been fol- lowing him then. there could be no doubt of it. and that must be the meaning of Usher's queer gesture as he stood at the entrance to his hotel. He must have guessed that Gordon would follow him when he left the gambling house. and in that brief interval while George was de- lilyt’d by the affair of his deserted stake. he must have bribed the man to follow him. Gordon hit his lips as the cleverness of the white-faced man became cvident. but the knowledge had a bright side as well as a dark. The gambler would know from his satellite that Gordon had followed him home. and would be upon his guard for the future; but. on the other hand, Gordon was now assured that he had not been mistaken when he thought that Usher recognized the knife. and he had not misconstrued the sinis- ter ctprcssion of his fierce. green eyes. It was something to have gained that knowledge. . For a moment. he hesitated at the en- trance of his house. Should he attempt to shake off the fellow who had stuck to him so closely. or to bribe him to desist from his spying? Yet where would be the use? His name was after all upon the club books. and his house in any lflndon directory. He had nothing to 'conceal. he thought. and without even turning to look behind him he entered his home. Yet even as the door shut behind him he rclncmbcrcd that he had something to Conceal. some reason which must compel him to be cautious. For as he stood in tin: hall the sight of the hospital nurse moving so-‘tly across one of the land- ings recalled the lovely girl who lay ill upsairs. and the danger to her which might lie in the espionage of his move- ments and the watching of his house. Had he been wise to let that man go 3) easily who had been following him‘.’ He strode quickly to the hull door again and threw it open, but ill the moonlit road there was no sign of his lllystel'iolls sllzldower. and he was forced to resign himself to the situation willl a sigh. He caught the hospital nurse as she was making hcr \\'fi_\' to hcr patients room again, and asked her its to the young girl's. condition. “Much better. .\ll‘." was the reply. “She lul~3 brcolnc colnci’llls again. the fcvrl' has almost left. her. and nlIC is alâ€" fogcfhrr greatly ilnprovctln Doctor Scy- lllour was her-P this evening. and he was astonisilcd; tic hm sclrlom soon so rapid \\'c must tlopc f.le progress will continue." “Indeed we must,” l'clul‘llcd G-u'd‘ln. sincerely. “Spare no trouble. nurse. and ask for all you want. (Zollld lâ€"nlight I see, her. do you think 1’" 'l'llc llul'sc luufinnr'd him to wait a lllollzrnt. \vllilr she softly (lpi'liL’tl the door of Miss Gaunt» I'thlIl and pccprd ill. “You ql‘lct.” t‘t ll‘ cull who said. holding the llt'fll' open €90 to" Gordon. “She is sleeping. I took it"l’ temperature ill] hour ago. and t‘\'l‘l'_\‘llllfl.',[ is it” right. I hopcd She \vl utd int a little rest." Holding his breath. ('illl‘don ‘.<':'Jkrd ill a; the strclling figure. \\'l‘.(.\'t‘ long dark l'illglrls swept the white inch of the pit- low; but in! turned quickly awe): uphill. Tho f-‘wl' llull passed. the d 'lll'.‘:l‘!l llud sin-lit itself: it was 11» lo'lgl'l' :l \lvix. and lllfl‘l‘ll.\,-‘ltllilâ€"i twin}; w'pl 1'; H:t}"_ lull :l )"lllll;_f Lvl.‘ mil ti:‘.' .;l~ llt‘t‘l'.’ on ‘.\llll“‘ pent-r- fut l..: v A lr$l~l it: right to gilfl‘. .-\l:ll in‘ l: 'l in 1'. - fistula to llifi' 'l}: I o q! 'p . ._._ .3- ._ \\li.\':‘ t ' ii\,‘i'§"?‘ liiu'zr‘l l. l ‘1( if 1 . " “\0- h l l .‘l . iuv‘ . 37.5. .‘. 1. -H . ‘.\r l t ‘i: '«I turn 1" ' ~\ \§,~. "Hp. . l ior \ ii" her if you urn vu-yl the authority of Mr. Nicholas. illGllSlllliN ill (:0an VIE“’S OF ONE OF THE VISITING JOURNALISTS. ("nusin lacks in Red Shirts air}. Promis- cuous Shooting Are Not In Evi~ dcncc in Canadian (lump. ll. Hamilton t-‘yfv‘. ill the London Mail. in an article on Cobalt. says: “The big financiers have got into t'obalt by now. The camp is settling down. and the wildly exciting days of'ftrst finds are over. But all the ground-floor men were [|(.‘:)I‘ lncu. and there are chances for the poor man yet. Engineers who have been ill every silver mining camp ill the world say that this looks like being the richest region yet diszovcred. If that prophecy is justified. there are bound to be many more exciting “finds.” But it is an "if" m which thcre is much vice. The dan- gil' is that f‘obalt may “pinch out." as other silver fields like it have done in the past. The-re is so much precious ore fight on the surface that there are places where you can rub your boot on the rock and see it shine like ll bright new silver sixpencc. But most. geologists believe that. the rich values lie only near the sur- face. and will soon be exhausted. flowo ex or. geologists. like other people. are as often wrong as right. and at present the man who should express a doubt on the spot as to Cobalt. being a deep-level proposition would be well advised to trove camp by the next train. The camp speaks with loweer voice of truck loads which fetched their owners ten thou- sand. fifteen thousand. twenty thousand pounds. That, three mines alone have made already $20.000.000 between them is an authentic fact. It is nothing out of the way for the ore to yield 75 per cent. of silver. and there are thy-products. too. SMALL FELLOW FLEEt'IED. The pitiful part of it. is that the small investor should be so fleeccd. It may be the richest silver mine field in the world, but if it were capable of yielding a quar- ter of -what the wild-cat prospectuses have promised it would have to be four times richer than even the optimists be. have it to be. Already more money has been lost over worthless properties than has been made out of paying mines. A mania seized the Canadian public. The ncwspupcrs were filled with alluring baits for the getâ€"ricil-quicks. who swal- lowed them witll fatuous avidity. Now they are beginning to see what fools they were. Even if the production for I907 totals up to $10.00fl,000. the figures predicted by the most hopeful. l have of the Canadian Geological Survey, for saying that this will not serve to pay a reason- able dividend on more than half the cap- ital invested. And it was not. “a reason- able dividend" which prospectuses pro- misedâ€"it was anything from 15 to 25 per cent. The profi's dangled before the eyes of those who are out to buy claims as yet unworkcd are even more alluring. I had not been ten minutes ill the campâ€"l tlad only strolled from the station on the edge of the. take up the muddy raid in the hotel just aboveâ€"before it persuasive prospector was trying to sell me. a new property which was morally certain to turn out a cinch. And as we went off to look at itâ€"for I liked the prospectors ocmpany. although I did not want his mine,â€"up lshalnbled a rough fellow. a French-Canadian miner. and pulling a bit of ore out of hi.) shirt. tried the same game on my persuasive friend himself! N0 BRET llAlrl‘l-z liLl-l.\ll3N’l‘. count. for It is an easy place if) 88.. -:;l' the big propositions lie close around the lake. which is itself to he burrowed under ill the hope that bent‘ath its \va- lcrs tic l'lt'll deep veins of silver. The ftight-of-Wuy and Larcsc shafts are within a biscuit-toss of the station. The Nlpissillg. jtl‘dv “ch35 the lake. the Uni- \TI'Sliy but a short walk. and so on. Tllf‘ llliln':h' uo'idcn still"k5 with tlotel. l‘t‘Sltllll'tIlll. niOCly' exchange (which is also the l'llcntrcl. and a few stores. all trlllsfl‘l' together on (.111) title hill just above the railway truck. It looks. of PCIll'M}. like it place that was only started yesterday. Upon the permanence of the vein hung: the question whcthl‘l' it shall pix \v into a big town or \vlu'tl‘cr the hillâ€" wdn. now ll busy human antâ€"hilt. shall ill a fch yvnh’ be dcscrh‘d again. and the wrmhn lllihtlngs left It. rot ill silent lc-llctincss. \\'lmtcvcr happens Cobalt \viil lll\\'tl‘\‘\ to an intcl'csiillg luclnul'y l:\' reason of certain piw-llliu‘ritics which mark it off from all othrr milling canlns. There is no that lfarfc clclllcnl about itâ€"â€" no tiousin .Iucks ill red Silll'lh. no pro- nli~cuolls revolver slanting. ll'll lawless- llt‘rS. very little gambling. and. strong- rd of all. no dlillk. f llt’YPl‘ thought to see a tlwiotlll lllllllllg i‘tllllp. l‘lll that is what Cobalt pl-t,f'c.~,< n to 1:9. Til" Irllcl nrovidm no .\tt'4lllg_'~‘t‘ stimulant than glngvr :lh‘. .\t illc l'|‘\ltltli‘iilll v :Il drink \vnll-l' or L24 dry. Tll~ w- lx >Eill.;.fh'it'/.l “illsk-cv llt \nllilw n! “n- >i::l:‘ ,7 ' rug-Hutuilirlu-y. “41.525’ I(l,.\’<l\'tl'.ll.l|ly lamqrcviul- bring :l l-qqifnb'c \ "t. cvcll '\‘~l‘."ll he found _l mu not a bi; lint flu liquor in twenty on nut-x and any- thin;r liku‘ di~llder i~ put dour. will a llr-uvy hand. -',:=2 .5 u dif‘h I~ u yo?- hul‘m l: l.“ L‘fitl'I i' own-1 t‘l.E.\l‘.. in :l il'i‘hd l'li'i"f.~ \l e'lls illnllv; llli VCilv i in l tell-Jr: :::ou J: \ 'cd Advance a ’â€"