said the Commissioner, "that there is a secret and wide-spread
propagandum being carried on among our Indians, especially among the
Piegans, Bloods, and Blackfeet, with the purpose of organizing rebellion
in connection with the half-breed discontent in the territories to the
east of us. Riel, you know, has been back for some time and we believe
his agents are busy on every reservation at present. This outbreak of
horse-stealing and whiskey-smuggling in so many parts of the country at
the same time is a mere blind to a more serious business, the hatching
of a very wide conspiracy. We know that the Crees and the Assiniboines
are negotiating with the half-breeds. Big Bear, Beardy, and Little Pine
are keen for a fight. There is some very powerful and secret influence
at work among our Indians here. We suspect that the ex-Chief of the
Bloods, Little Thunder, is the head of this organization. A very
dangerous and very clever Indian he is, as you know. We have a charge
of murder against him already, and if we can arrest him and one or two
others it would do much to break up the gang, or at least to hold in
check their organization work. We want you to get quietly after this
business, visit all the reservations, obtain all information possible,
and when you are ready, strike. You will be quite unhampered in your
movements and the whole force will co-operate with you if necessary. We
consider this an extremely critical time and we must be prepared. Take a
man with you. Make your own choice."

"I expect we know the man the Inspector will choose," said
superintendent Crawford with a smile.

"Who is that?" asked the Commissioner.

"Constable Cameron, of course."

"Ah, yes, Cameron. You remember I predicted he would make good. He has
certainly fulfilled my expectation."

"He is a good man," said the Inspector quietly.

"Oh come, Inspector, you know you consider him the best all-round man at
this post," said the Superintendent.

"Well, you see, Sir, he is enthusiastic for the service, he works hard
and likes his work."

"Right you are!" exclaimed the Superintendent. "In the first place, he
is the strongest man on the force, then he is a dead shot, a good man
with a horse, and has developed an extraordinary gift in tracking, and
besides he is perfectly straight."

"Is that right, Inspector?"

"Yes," said the Inspector very quietly, though his eyes were gleaming at
the praise of his friend. "He is a good man, very keen, v