"
"But you murder people for pastime--eh, my dear Jean?"
Croisset shrugged his shoulders without speaking.
"See here, Croisset," said Howland with sudden earnestness, "I'm almost
tempted to take a chance with you. Will you go down to the post
to-night, in some way gain access to Meleese, and give her a
message from me?"
"And the message--what would it be?"
"It would bring Meleese up to this cabin--to-night."
"Are you sure, M'seur?"
"I am certain that it would. Will you go?"
"_Non_, M'seur."
"The devil take you!" cried Howland angrily. "If I was not certain that
I would need you later I'd garrote you where you sit."
He rose and went to the old stove. It was still capable of holding fire,
and as it had grown too dark outside for the smoke to be observed from
the post, he proceeded to prepare a supper of hot coffee and meat. Jean
watched him in silence, and not until food and drink were on the table
did the engineer himself break silence.
"Of course, I'm not going to feed you," he said curtly, "so I'll have to
free your hands. But be careful."
He placed his revolver on the table beside him after he had freed
Croisset.
"I might assassinate you with a fork!" chuckled the Frenchman softly,
his black eyes laughing over his coffee cup.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182