and. The only thing they could do would
e to more or less make up to the fellow
nd try to find out where he was going.
\s soon as this was accomplished and he
iad left the premises they would find
aeans of notifying the policeman. Having
lecided on this plan of action they re-
urned to the front of the store and went
yn serving the customers. At last it was
Jan’s turn.

The fugitive sauntered up to the counter
nd asked for some articles of clothing.
Mr. McCool produced them.

“It’s a fine day, isn’t it?” Mr. McCool
aid cordially. “We could use a little rain
hough. It would be good for the farmers
nd also reduce the fire hazard in the
orests.”

Van's eyes were bleak. He surveyed
McCool carefully. The storekeeper could
1ot help feeling a little nervous when he
hought of those same eyes peering over
he sights of a rifle.

“Tt’s a nice day, all right,” Van replied
lully, “maybe we could use some rain.”

“We sure could,” McCool replied, “it’s
sretty hot right now. If your’re going down
o Natal to work in the coal mines you'll
eel the heat.”

“Tm not going to Natal,’ Van said
coldly, “I’m just passing through here on
my way to the coast. Id like to have a room
for the night. Can you put me up?”

McCool didn’t know whether this was
a request or a subtle demand that might
be backed up by the rifle. He thought
quickly. If he could steer Van off to a
known place it would be a simple matter
then to get ihe police and pick him up.

“Tm sorry,” McCool said warmly, “I'd
like to give you a room but we're filled right
up with steady roomers at this time of the
year. We never have vacancies. The few
rooms I have are always spoken for long
before they are empty. I know where you
can get a place to sleep and if you’re think-
ing of hopping a freight itll be the best
place in town to find out about them.”

“Where it that?” Van mumbled.

“Down at the roundhouse. You can
sleep in the boiler room there. Nobody
will bother you and they will tell you what
time the through freights come in. Lots
of the boys on the road sleep there.”

“T guess that'll be all right,” Van replied,
“Til get some supplies now and take them
with me.

“Certainly,” McCool said in a tone that

Atlin,

1899.

Compliments of

didn’t betray his real feelings. He was
greatly relieved. In a few minutes the
chance of a bloody gun battle in his store
would be over. The man would be on his
way to the roundhouse. The storekeeper
didn’t haggle with Van over prices now.
He gave him what he wanted in a hurry
and at a price that couldn’t be questioned.
When Van finally packed his sack and
walked off down to the road, McCool felt
as though a million tons had rolled off his
mind. He watched his erstwhile customer
head towards the roundhouse and then
spoke to Sedrovitch.

“Hurry up, Joe. Take my car and find
Constable Nelson. Ill watch and see that
the fellow doesn’t change his mind and get
away. Hurry up.”

RIVER BEND
GENERAL STORE

R. MILLIGAN, Proprietor

GROCERIES, GENERAL

HARDWARE, CONFEC-

TIONERY, TOBACCOS,
CANDIES

Home Oil Producis
Alberni, B.C.

Anker’s Secondhand
Furniture Store

We Specialize in
UPHOLSTERING and
REPAIRS

516 Third Avenue North
Port Alberni, B.C.

Alberni Pacific Lumber Co. Ltd.

SUMMER EDITION

PORT ALBERNI, B.C.

Page Twenty-seven

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