Page:November Joe.pdf/121

 purpose of exposing skins to the warmth of the sun, some bright-coloured threads were hanging. Going nearer, I found them to be strands of pink and grey worsted, twisted together.

What d' you think of that?" asked Evans, with a heavy wink.

Before I could answer, Joe came into sight round a clump of bush on the edge of the clearing.

"Well," called the game warden, "any luck?

November walked up to us, and I waited for his answer with all the eagerness of a partisan. "Not just exactly," he said.

"What do you make of that?" asked Evans again, pointing at the fluttering worsted, with a glance of suppressed triumph at Joe.

"Huh!" said November. "What do you?"

"Pretty clear evidence that, ain't it? The robber caught his necker on those nails as he slipped out. We're getting closer. English rifle, 'Gold Nugget' in his pipe, and a pink and grey necker. Find a chap that owns all three. It can't be difficult. Wardens have eyes in their heads as well as you, November."

"Sure!" agreed Joe politely but with an ab-