passed it across as he spoke.

McCorquodale grinned.

"Leave it to me, 'bo. Jimmy Stiles is the young gaffer I's trailin'
that afternoon with that tan satchel from the Alderson Construction
Company's office. No, the Chief didn't say anythin' to me 'bout him;
but I knows where he is."

"You do?"

"Sure Mike! An' I proceeds to dry them tears the Queen's sheddin' by
informin' her that the kid's within a few miles of her right now."

"What? You mean he's----"

"Yep. They got him prisoner back here at the lumber camp. He was one
o' the three what Weiler met at North Bay an' it didn't take me long to
tumble to the way they was watchin' him close. I slips him a note las'
night that friends was near an' to be on the lookout f'r us. We're
goin' to rescue the kid, see. He'll be our star witness."

"Well, what next!" gasped the astonished Kendrick. He stared at the
detective. "You're not joking? If so, your levity is decidedly
ill-timed."

"Yeah," agreed McCorquodale doubtfully. "Uh-hunh. On'y I don't happen
to be wavin' no wand an' floatin' horizontal in the air, see. I'm
handin' it to you straight up an' down. Stiles is there an' we gotta
get him away from those guys. As f'r any jokin'----" He drew out his
police automatic and patted it significantly. "This gun cracks ten
jokes without stoppin', see, if there's any funny work goin' on."

Phil's surprise at the turn events were taking was only equalled by the
excitement with which Cristy Lawson received the news when presently
she was called outside and introduced to the C.L.S. detective. She
listened eagerly, interjecting a rapid question now and then as if her
mind were racing beyond the facts of the recital to a logical solution
of the mystery not apparent to the others. She nodded her head once or
twice and laughed a little. When McCorquodale had recounted everything
that he had observed she was silent for a moment, head bent in thought.

"How soon are you going back to the camp?" she asked at last.

"As soon as Mrs. Thorlakson will give us something to eat," replied
Phil.

"Good. I'm ready."

"But--You don't understand," objected Phil. "We can't take you along,
Miss Lawson. It wouldn't be----"

"Of course you can. I certainly am going with you."

"Impossible! Your injured foot----"

"Nonsense, it's all right now. I'm going with you," she repeated.
"There are reasons why I must go; so please don't argue about it."

"But that'