aste for adventure, and I'm going to appeal to your chivalry
right now to help me in a very delicate and dangerous matter that calls
for prompt attention. Comly and I had a little brush with the enemy last
night and in our further tasks we shall be glad of your help."

He bade Archie tell the story, interrupting occasionally to supply some
detail. When Isabel's name was mentioned as the head of Heart o' Dreams
Camp Congdon sprang to his feet excitedly.

"Isabel Perry! Why," he flung round upon Archie, "that's the girl I told
you about in Chicago, who gave me the bad advice that got me into all my
trouble with my wife. So it's Isabel who's the custodian of my daughter!
This is a queer business, gentlemen."

"Highly interesting, I must confess!" the Governor ejaculated. "But you
must bear no grudge against Miss Perry; she's wonderful. She all but
lost her life last night. Comly and I have solemnly pledged ourselves to
clear up this whole situation, and we invite your fullest cooperation."

"Certainly; I enlist right now. With my own child over there at the
mercy of that scoundrel I couldn't refuse. I assure you that I cherish
no resentment against Miss Perry. I was a fool, I suppose, ever to have
let her influence me. I was pretty miserable at the time and she is a
very attractive girl, and we men, well--"

"Man," said the Governor, "is only a xylophone upon which any woman may
exercise her musical talents. At times her little hammers evoke the
pleasantest harmonies, but when it pleases my lady she can produce the
most painful discords. To get back to business, the tug that's bringing
the supplies for the camp is also towing a launch for our use. We'll
meet Mr. Carey on land or water, or in the air if he chooses. Now,
Congdon, if you've no objection to taking orders from me, I'll ask you
to lie off Heart o' Dreams in the row boat, while the supplies are
unloaded. Our landlord, a trustworthy person in every particular, will
go with you. Comly and I will meet the tug and pick up the launch."

"But how about this fellow from Calderville who's nosing round?" Congdon
asked anxiously. "I'll say right here that I have no intention of being
hauled back to Maine to be tried for murder."

"Take my word for it, that Comly and I will die rather than give you up.
We'll stand or fall together. That chap may not be looking for you at
all. He may be on the lookout for me or some pal of mine on the tug;
they're all outlaws, desperad