Downey
straightened, and for the space of minutes stood tense as a pointer.
The sound was not repeated--and swiftly the officer of the Mounted sped
through the bush.
AN EPILOGUE
Two days later, into the trading room of the Hudson's Bay Company's
post on God's Lake, burst Orcutt, white of face, shaken of nerves, and
with his disheveled garments bespeaking a frenzied dash through the
timber.
"What's the meaning of this?" he cried, holding out a telegram.
McNabb reached for the message and read it. "It means just what it
says," he answered. "Cameron has stated it plain."
"But where is Cameron? Where is the three hundred and fifty thousand I
paid him? Where is Wentworth?"
"Cameron is not here. He left after turning over your money to
Wentworth. He said he held a paper that constituted Wentworth your
legal representative."
"But--where is Wentworth?" gasped Orcutt.
"He left the night he got the money--a week ago to-night, wasn't it,
Dugald?"
"Good God!" The words were a groan. "I'm ruined. Ruined, I tell you!
There's just one chance. John, the material that's on your mill site.
Will you take it over?"
"Sure, I'll take it," answered McNabb. "On the same terms you offered
for my tote-road. Ten cents on the dollar, wasn't it, Orcutt?"
"But, man, you don't understand!"
"I understand that the shoe is on the other foot," answered McNabb,
coldly.
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