103
XXIII. THE SECOND RUSH. 108
XXIV. A BLACK NIGHT. 114
XXV. A RAY OF HOPE. 118
XXVI. AS TWILIGHT FELL. 123
XXVII. THE SIEGE OF THE HOUSE. 126
XXVIII. THE END OF HOPE. 131
XXIX. THE SECRET OF THE FACTOR'S DESK. 136
XXX. A STRANGE DISCOVERY. 141
XXXI. A CRY IN THE NIGHT. 146
XXXII. THE TRAVELER FROM ALASKA. 150
XXXIII. A CONVIVIAL MORNING. 156
XXXIV. ON THE WAY. 161
XXXV. RETRIBUTION. 165
XXXVI. A PAINFUL MYSTERY. 170
XXXVII. REST AND HAPPINESS. 174
XXXVIII. GOOD NEWS. 177
XXXIX. A MESSAGE. 182
XL. A STARTLING CHANGE. 186
XLI. BACK FROM THE DEAD. 191
XLII. TRUNK 409. 196
XLIII. A DRAMATIC INTERRUPTION. 200
XLIV. THE RIGHTFUL CLAIMANT. 205
XLV. FORGING THE LINKS. 209
XLVI. THE ALARM. 215
XLVII. CONCLUSION. 218

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THE CRYPTOGRAM.

CHAPTER I.

THE SAVING OF GRAY MOOSE.

I have long had in mind to set down the story of my early life, and now,
as I draw pen and paper to me for the commencement of the task, I feel
the inspiration of those who wrote straight from the heart. It is
unlikely that this narrative will ever appear in print, but if it does
the reader may rely on its truthfulness and accuracy from beginning to
end, strange and incredulous though parts of it may seem.

Thirty years ago! It is a long time, but the magic power of memory
laughs at wider gulfs. Every incident comes back to me with the
vividness and clearness of yesterday. I hear the echo of voices that
have been silent these many years. Dead fac