s exactly what I intend to do," declared Kendrick decidedly.
He shook his head. "There isn't room in the canoe in the first place
and besides there's liable to be trouble. Isn't that so, McCorquodale?"

"Mr. Kendrick, as the representative of the _Recorder_ it is absolutely
necessary----"

"I'm sorry, Miss Lawson; but I refuse to take the responsibility."

"I'll assume all risk, Mr. Kendrick."

"You would be in our way, to be frank. We'll be bringing Stiles back
here with us and you can wait till we come."

Almost tearfully she appealed to the detective to that worthy's evident
embarrassment. Cap in hand, he made a profound and formal bow in an
attempt to be diplomatic.

"Pardon me, lady, but you're crazy!" he stated politely. "Crazy as a
bed-bug! It can't be did!"

CHAPTER XIX

FURTHER STRANGE PROCEEDINGS

The sun was dropping behind the wooded hills and only the golden rim of
it peeped above the tree-tops when they set out. Before long the
purple dusk came creeping in from the east where clouds were banking in
the sky.

Kendrick expected to be back by daylight or at latest by noon next day.
As they paddled up stream against a strong current his thoughts were
busy with the events of the past few weeks, particularly those of the
last four days. He marvelled at their kaleidoscopic nature. It seemed
ages ago that he had fought a fist battle with this stalky,
good-natured chap whose muscular shoulders were swinging in rhythm with
his own; yet it was only a month. Now here they were, miles from
civilization, heading into the night-obscured depths of the wilderness
on an adventure of unknown hazard.

And this girl with the wonderful eyes and wonderful hair, wonderful wit
and vivacity, wonderful--diamond ring on her engagement finger!

"Steady, 'bo, steady!" warned McCorquodale. "Take y'r time. We got a
lot o' this to do."

Their eyes were growing accustomed to the semi-darkness of the wooded
aisle through which the deep Wolverine River raced with a symphony of
water sounds. The stream was easy of navigation all the way to the
rapids below Kinogama Falls and it was a case of paddling without
pause. Kendrick and Cristy had gone as far as the deserted lumber camp
on their first day's jaunt in Svenson's canoe; they had been all over
the place, little dreaming that so shortly it was to be occupied by
these doubtful characters, or that he was to return to the spot on an
errand of such consequen