s, keeping his
distance, till they came to a portage where the entire party
disembarked. Instead of making the portage to a point farther up, they
had gone into camp at what appeared to be an old lumber camp that had
not been in use for a couple of seasons. It looked as if they intended
to stay there for a while.

"I know that deserted lumber camp," Phil nodded.

"Well, that's where I comes from just now an' that's where we both
makes for as soon's we rustles a bite o' grub," concluded McCorquodale.
"I hikes down here special to get you soon's I'm sure them guys is
anchored. Say, that there Wolverine's some river, aint it? I got my
canoe back here a ways."

"Cork, are you quite sure that this bunch is the gang Wade's after?
Supposing they turn out to be a fishing party or something?"

"Fishin' party me neck!" scoffed McCorquodale. "With all them cases o'
the real McKay?"

"Fishing is often a thirsty business for more than the fish. Anyway,
you don't know for sure that it's booze----"

"Don't, eh? They starts in on it las' night an' some of 'em was lit up
like a corner saloon, I tell you. Didn't I see 'em an' didn't I _hear_
'em? Great snakes! they kep' me awake with their shouts an' singin'
las' night fer hours an' I'm campin' a good loud holler away from their
hangout at that. I crep' down clost to find out what they was
celebratin' an' I hears 'em gabbin', see. The gang aint all there yet.
They're waitin' fer the Main Squeeze--this here Red McIvor I was
tellin' you about. I hears 'em mention his name, see, an' besides
Weiler's there an'----"

"You win," conceded Phil. "Whisky traders, eh? Heading in to peddle
the stuff to the Indians and around the camps." He smoked thoughtfully.

"If they keeps on lappin' it up the way they's doin' las' night they
aint goin' to do much tradin' in anythin' but headaches. Say, what
about this here bundle o' phoney hid in a hollow stump? Wade was
tellin' me you's up here lookin' after it. Cranston was wonderin' if
Weiler'd got a line on it an' mebbe that had somethin' to do with the
gang comin' together in this neighborhood. Did you find it?"

"No, it was gone. I'm pretty certain that Podmore was after it and got
here ahead of everybody. Thorlakson hasn't noticed anybody hanging
around. It dosn't matter. Did Mr. Wade say anything to you about
young Stiles having disappeared? Miss Lawson is greatly worried over
the last part of the Chief's message." He