he stone bench at the head of the
pond, whispering together so softly that they did not even disturb the
frogs among the lily-pads within ten feet of them. It was not so long
ago, that evening. The time that had passed since might be reckoned
easily in hours, but to Good Indian it seemed a month, at the very
least.

CHAPTER XIX. EVADNA GOES CALLING

"I have every reason to believe that your two missing jumpers took
the train for Shoshone last night," Miss Georgie made answer to
Good Indian's account of what had happened since he saw her. "Two
furtive-eyed individuals answering your description bought round-trip
tickets and had me flag sixteen for them. They got on, all right. I saw
them. And if they got off before the next station they must have landed
on their heads, because Sixteen was making up time and Shorty pulled the
throttle wide open at the first yank, I should judge, from the way he
jumped out of town. I've been expecting some of them to go and do their
filing stunt--and if the boys have begun to devil them any, the chances
are good that they'd take turns at it, anyway. They'd leave someone
always on the ground, that's a cinch.

"And Saunders," she went on rapidly, "returned safe enough. He sneaked
in just before I closed the office last night, and asked for a telegram.
There wasn't any, and he sneaked out again and went to bed--so Pete told
me this morning. And most of the Indians have pulled out--squaws, dogs,
papooses, and all--on some fishing or hunting expedition. I don't know
that it has anything to do with your affairs, or would even interest
you, though. And there has been no word from Peaceful, and they can't
possibly get back now till the four-thirty--five.

"And that's all I can tell you, Mr. Imsen," she finished crisply, and
took up a novel with a significance which not even the dullest man could
have ignored.

Good Indian stared, flushed hotly, and made for the door.

"Thank you for the information. I'm afraid this has been a lot of bother
for you," he said stiffly, gave her a ceremonious little bow, and went
his way stiff-necked and frowning.

Miss Georgie leaned forward so that she could see him through the
window. She watched him cross to the store, go up the three rough steps
to the platform, and disappear into the yawning blackness beyond the
wide-open door.

She did not open the novel and begin reading, even then. She dabbed her
handkerchief at her eyes, muttered: "My Heavens,