wht discover the secret meeting place d the boss’ identity, but this hope faded th the lights behind. What had hap- ned? It was unlikely that Lampson yuld drive without lights for this was lifficult road to negotiate, gravelled and nding. Then Charlie screeched his akes and swung sharply into the bush to a rough trail. His senses came suddenly alert. Per- ps Charlie was taking him for a ride in vie gangster fashion. His hand closed 4 smooth, round object in his pocket. e withdrew it, and as the car swayed idly he dropped the glass out of the en window. If they found this trail ey would know he had come this way. Soft voice reassured him in a moment, whis is shortcut to house where boss ay.” Topping a rise, Manfield saw a two- srey frame building from the rear. Jsed to be big mill owner’s house, but ine run out and closed down. Now one our friends buy it,’ Charlie elaborated ith more abandon as he neared his des- jation. Easing the car to a stop in a ump of pine, he urged forcibly, “Come ~ Manfield observed the layout as they ent. A gravelled road connected the ont of the house to the highway south id a rough trail led from the north side the house towards the hills, and what - guessed was the old mine workings. e remembered stories of this mine— led Madeap Mine, and of crazy Mike ho had discovered it. American interests id bought him out, but the rich strike id quickly petered out and the mine shut wn. PrecauTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE Charlie led the way to the basement eps, and opening the door with a key, cked it again behind them. Command- ig, “Wait!” he went into a partitioned ortion, where Manfield heard him press buzzer and then the low murmur of him yeaking. He came out, motioned to me, and Manfield followed, steeling mself for whatever might happen up- airs, The basement stairway opened up into kitchen through which they went into a commodious living-room. The man he had come to see sat behind a flat-topped desk littered with sundry papers upon which he had evidently been at work. His huge body filled the chair. Pointed gray- ing beard and receding dark hair brushed neatly back, together with a dark tweed suit, gave the appearance of a successful business man. His face seemed familiar to Manfield who was waved by a pudgy hand embracing a cigar to a chair placed in tront. As he approached, remembrance came with startling vividness. This was Spears, the man who had eluded him two years ago. An enlarged replica of his former antagonist. Flabbier, with strange lines drawn on his now bearded face which betokened a life lived in the shadows. Then a thought occurred. If he had penetrated Spears’ disguise so easily, what could he hope from his own? He was not left long in doubt. “So we meet again, Manfield,’ Spears boomed affably. “I knew it as soon as Charlie gave me the low-down on Joe Sales’ new role, and a runner tipped me off that you were away from headquarters on a new assignment. It all fitted in so nicely. The Manfield touch,” he sneered. “But then, how were you to know that Clinton V. Spears was the brains of this enterprise?” His belly shook with gentle laughter. “Want to examine the proposition, Manfield?” he continued. “There is money in it—big money, and I am right here on the ground floor.” He drew deeply on his cigar, blowing out a cloud of aromatic smoke, while his dark, beady eyes gazed at Manfield piercingly. Manfield sat silent, his mind searching for a way out. Charlie was sitting in an attitude of watchful attention to one side. His mask had lifted, revealing a face that was stark evil. Perhaps he might delay the showdown and draw some valuable information. “What is the proposition, Spears,” he asked lightly. Beats CrriMINAL TO DrRAw Spears’ soft mass seemed to tauten into sterner lines as he answered. “I did want a man to handle our northern trade. You know what our business is—narcotics. Narcotics worth up to t through the underg eyes gleamed avariciously,. round.’ “We've got a tortune tied up in drugs—a business organized down to the last detail, and we can't afford to let a nosey detective stop it.’ He reached for : spoke. grain the drawer as he Manfield’s hand moved swiftly to re- spond. His gun was levelled before the hand of Spears closed about the stubby automatic. “Put up your hands, Spears,” he said coldly. “You, too!” he snapped at Charlie, who had slid quickly out of his chair. Spears complied reluctantly, the colour fading from his fleshy cheeks. He strug- gled for composure, then said slowly, “Now, Manfield, let’s talk things over. Ill make it worth your while, I swear it.” “Back up, Spears, and don’t get care- less,’ Manfield advised. He took a step forward to round the desk when Charlie flashed a knife and threw, all in one swift motion. He jumped and fired. Then he felt a searing pain in his right shoulder, and heard the thud of the blade in the wall opposite. Spears, moving remarkably fast for a big man, pushed over the desk against him. Knocked off balance by the impact, Manfield stumbled, and Charlie brought him down in a flying tackle. He strove to rise and bring his gun to play, but GRANDVIEW HOTEL L. W. Smythe, Proprietor “BR Home Away from Home” ® Good Rooms ® Running Hot and Cold Water ® Dining Room in Connection © Home Cooked Meals KASLO, B. C. G. S. BAKER GENERAL DRY GOODS and MEN’S WEAR * KASLO_ - Limited Emerald Tungsten Project SALMO Canadian Exploration BRITISH COLUMBIA KASLO King George Hotel Bill Drummond and Roy Logan, Proprietors REASONABLE RATES DINING ROOM IN CONNECTION The King George Offers Classy Accommodations to All Visitors and Has an Unexcelled Cuisine Kaslo and District Offers Superior Attractions to Tourists Including Mountain Scenery, Golf, Fishing and Hunting COMFORTABLE ROOMS FULLY LICENSED B.C. IGHTEENTH EDITION Page Eighty-five