a weary month before these facts were discovered. We give
an outline of the process in the following pages.

Superintendents Starnes and Demers recommended that an expedition be
equipped for two or three years and sent out to investigate, but the
wrecks of schooners and other untoward incidents interfered. But in
July, 1914, over two years from the date of the alleged crime, Inspector
W. J. Beyts, an officer of much experience in the North, left on a
Government schooner from Halifax with a sergeant and two constables. The
weather was so bad that they did not reach the Hudson's Bay Coast till
it was too late to establish a post at Baker Lake. The next year, after
enormous difficulties, he succeeded in planting the post, but the winter
of 1915-16 was such that two brave attempts to get to Bathurst Inlet
failed. Game on which they had to rely for dog-feed was so scarce that
supply could not be secured. Dogs died by the score also amongst the
Eskimo that year, and Beyts reports one case where there were only six
dogs amongst ten families, and another case where the sleigh was being
pulled by one man, two women and a dog. In the summer of 1916 Beyts, by
previous arrangement, returned to headquarters, and his place was taken
by Inspector F. H. French, who arrived at Baker Lake in September. This
was more than four years after the murder, but the Police never let go
their hold once they started on a case.

Commissioner Perry's instructions to Inspector French were these: "It
will be your duty to get in touch at the earliest possible moment with
the tribes said to be responsible for the deaths. You will make
inquiries and take such statutory declarations as may seem necessary in
order to obtain a full and accurate account of the occurrence. From
information received, it is assumed that there was provocation. If this
is found to be the case, it is not the intention of the Government to
proceed with prosecution. If, however, there was found to be no
provocation, the Government will consider what further action is to be
taken."

French was "to the manner born" in the Police service. He was a son of
that gallant officer, Inspector "Jack" French, leader of "French's
Scouts" in the second Rebellion, who was killed by a half-breed sniper
after having driven Riel's men from their coverts in one section of the
fight at Batoche. And he was also the nephew of Colonel Sir George
French, the first Commissioner of Mounted Police after thei