Page:November Joe.pdf/56

 "Hullo, Baxter! Did n't know you'd come back. Where you been?"

"Right up on the headwaters."

"Fitz come down with you?"

"No; stayed on the line of traps. Did you want him, November?"

"Yes, but it can wait. See any moose?"

"Nary one—nothing but red deer."

"Good-night."

"So long."

"That settles it," said November. "If he speaks the truth, as I believe he does, it was n't either of the Gurds shot Lyon."

"Why not?"

"Did n't you hear him say they had n't seen any moose? And I told you that the man that shot Lyon had killed a moose quite recent. That leaves just Miller and Highamson—and it were n't Miller."

"You're sure of that?"

"Stark certain. One reason is that Miller's above six foot, and the man as camped with Lyon was n't as tall by six inches. Another reason. You heard the storekeeper say how Miller and Lyon was n't on speaking terms;