y he turned to reenter the
cabin.

"Stop! Hands up, or I'll shoot!" Pat was taking the one chance open to
him. If he allowed the man to get back inside the cabin there was no
telling when he would show himself again. It was clear that he suspected
something. It was better to take the chance that he would obey orders,
knowing that some one had the drop on him, rather than be obliged to lay
siege to the cabin.

The Indian froze in his tracks, both hands up. "Now walk straight back
five steps and stop," commanded Pat.

The Indian took one step back. Then in a flash he dove head first
through the partly open door, throwing himself flat. The wily fellow
counted on the suddenness of the move and the abrupt change of angle of
fire to escape. Pat's rifle cracked, followed instantly by the bang of
the door. He had missed his man. He afterward confessed that he had made
no real effort to score a hit. The idea of taking a fellow being's life
was repugnant to him even though the fellow was a would-be murderer. He
had shot because the situation had required it. It was necessary that
the fellow should know that he had to deal with those who could shoot
and were not afraid to.

Half the battle was won. One man was captured and the other driven to
cover. Knowing that the latter would make no attempt to get away for the
present and that in any event Hal was posted where he could give the
alarm should an attempt be made Pat and Alec turned their attention to
their captive. His hands were securely bound behind him with a piece of
rope which Pat had had the foresight to bring, and he was then
subjected to a grueling examination, but sullenly refused to commit
himself on any point. He was a French Canadian of the lower type and
Alec recognized him as Big Pierre, a notorious character in the lumber
camps of the region.

There was an ugly glint in his black eyes that boded ill for his captors
should he once gain the upper hand of them. He refused to admit that he
had been robbing the trap lines or that he had even been watching the
camp in Smugglers' Hollow. Only once, and that when Alex charged him
with having a hand in the theft of the black fox, did his face betray
anything but sullen rage. For just a fleeting instant a mingled look of
surprise, interest, cupidity and anger swept across his face. Pat caught
it and signed for Alec to cease his questioning. Then he drew Alec to
one side out of ear-shot of their captive.

"As sure as