important. Accessory in murder, perhaps. At any rate, you'll go with us to Fort Dauntless. I arrest you in the name of His Majesty, the King."

"I don't know what you're talking about," faltered Mudgett, his forehead paling under the grime. "That storekeeper--I can explain about that. And as for--anything else: I ain't had nothing to do with--anything wrong. I swear my Bible oath."

Dexter surveyed the man curiously. He knew him of old--a trapper in season, general ne'er-do-well at all times, sneak thief on occasion, notorious coward--he never would have assaulted anybody unaided. 'Phonse Doucet, of course, was the instigator in that affair--Doucet, the half-breed, braggadocio and bully, a giant of a man, with a dangerous habit of going amuck when liquor was to be had.

"Where is 'Phonse now?" asked the corporal. "I trailed you two as far as Wild Swan Creek, and then I lost you."

"'Phonse went north," asserted Mudgett. "He'll be far from here by now."

"Who's your new friend?" the officer inquired.

Mudgett started to speak, but at that instant he happened to meet the beady glance of the shackled man across the room; and he received a look of baleful warning that made his teeth click over the half uttered word. He rubbed his nose nervously to hide his confusion. "Never saw him before," he stammered. "Just came here a little while ago for shelter. Didn't tell me his name."

Dexter himself had felt the threat pass, like an electric discharge, and he knew that he could get nothing out of Mudgett while he remained under the malevolent eye of the murderer. He did not attempt to pursue the subject. "Whose cabin is this?" he asked after an interval. "It's new."

"I built it this fall," said Mudgett uneasily. "Figured to trap marten and lynx over the winter."

"All alone?" asked Dexter, who knew that mountain trappers usually worked in pairs.

"No," said Mudgett after a moment's hesitation.

"Is this man here your partner?"

Mudgett shot a furtive glance at the other prisoner, and shook his head. "No," he replied, "I'm working with another man.""Who?" asked Dexter, eyeing him sharply.
"A fellow named Stark."

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