CHAPTER XXV
INSPECTOR WALLACE TAKES CHARGE
That night when Inspector Wallace had heard the story of the murders onthe Ghost, he sent for Jean Marcel, to whom it was quite evident, onreporting at the trade-house, that the relations between the former andGillies had recently become somewhat strained. The face of the Inspectorwas noticeably red and Gillies' heavy brows contracted over eyes blazingwith wrath.
"Sit down!" said the Inspector as Marcel reported. "Now, Marcel,"Wallace began, severely, "this case looks pretty bad for you. You gointo the bush in the fall with two partners, and the body of one isfound with a knife wound, together with the effects of the other, in thespring."
"Yes, M'sieu!" assented Jean.
"You say Piquet killed Beaulieu and was killed by your dog when heattacked you. All right! But suppose when you began to starve you hadkilled Beaulieu and Piquet to get the remaining grub, how would that, ifit had happened, have changed the evidence at the camp?"
"De bodee of Antoine on de cache," replied Jean coolly, "proves to anysmart man dat I did not keel heem. Eef I keel heem I would geeve debodee to de lynx and wolverines out in de snow. Den I would say he diedof de famine, lak de Cree do, and no one could deny it."
Marcel's narrowed eyes bored into those of the Inspector. He tried toforget that before him sat the man who had taken from him all he helddear, this man who now had it in his power to dishonor him as well--sendhim south for trial among strangers.
"Well, the Lelacs say you did hide the body. But suppose you left it onthe cache. You were safe. Why should anyone come to your camp and seeit? You were two days' travel up the Ghost from Whale River. Theysurprised you while you were away hunting."
With a look of disgust but retaining his self-control, Jean answered:"Eet was a ver' hard winter. De Cree were starve' and knew we camp up deGhost. Dey might come tru de bush for grub any tam. Eef I keel heemwould I wait till spring to hide him under stones, as Lelac say?"
"Um!" The face of Inspector Wallace assumed a judicial expression. "Thecircumstantial evidence is against you. Of course, you have something inyour favor, but if I were on a jury I'd have to convict you," Wallacesaid with an air of finality.
"One moment, Mr. Wallace," growled Gillies. "How about the previousreputation of Marcel and the character of the whole Lelac tribe? Hasn'tthat got any weight with you? I believe this boy because I've alwaysfound him honest and straight, as his father was. We thought a lot ofhis father on this coast. I don't believe the Lelacs because they alwayswere liars. But you've missed the real point of the whole matter."
"What do you mean? The case is clear as a bell to me, Gillies." TheInspector colored, frowning on the stiff-necked factor.
"Why, putting the previous reputation, here, of Marcel aside, if he hadkilled Beaulieu, would he have told us that Beaulieu was stabbed?Clearly not! He would have said that Antoine died of starvation and wasnot stabbed, for as soon as he heard they had not turned in the fur, heknew he had the Lelacs in his power and could prove them thieves andliars, and we all would have believed him. The story of the Lelacs as tothe man having been murdered would not have held water a minute afterthe hearing proves them thieves.
"Furthermore, he knew they could not prove their tale by the body ofBeaulieu, either, left to rot on the shore there in the spring freshets.There would be no evidence for a canoe from the post to find." TheScotchman rose and pounded the slab table as he drove home his finalpoint.
"Why, Jean Marcel had it in his power, if he had been guilty, to havewalked out of this trouble by simply giving the Lelacs the lie. But whatdid he do? He told his tale to Pere Breton, here, before he learned whatthe Lelacs had said.
"He freely admitted that Beaulieu had been stabbed when he might havedenied it and got off scot free. Does that look like a guilty man?Answer me that!" thundered Gillies to his superior officer.
The force of Gillies' argument was not lost on the unreceptive Wallace.
The stone-hard features of Marcel reflected no emotion but deep in hisheart smoldered a hatred of this Inspector of the Company, who, notsatisfied with taking Julie Breton from him, now flouted his honor as aMarcel and a man.
"Well?" demanded Gillies, impatiently, his frank glance holding the paleeyes of Wallace.
"Yes, what you say, Gillies, has its weight, no doubt. If he had wantedto avoid this thing, he might have done it, when he learned that theLelacs had held the fur. Still, I'll think it over. It may be best tosend him 'outside' to be tried, as a warning to these people. I can'tseem to swallow that tale of the dog killing Piquet, however. Soundsfishy to me!"
"Have you seen the dog?" demanded Gillies.
"No!"
"Well, when you see her, you won't doubt it. She's the most powerfulhusky I've ever seen--weighs a hundred and forty pounds. She's got alitter due soon."
"Oh, I'd like to take a pup or two back with me."
"Well, you'll have to see Marcel about that," chuckled Gillies. "Herpups are worth a black fox skin. We'll have this hearing to-morrow,then, if it's agreeable to you, Mr. Wallace. When you see the Lelacs youmay understand why we believe so strongly in Marcel."
As Wallace went out, Gillies drew Jean aside.
"I have little faith in Inspector Wallace, Jean. He would send you southfor trial if he could find sufficient reason for it."
"M'sieu Gillies, Jean Marcel will never go south to be tried by strangemen for the thing he did not do."
"What do you mean, my son? You would not make yourself an outlaw? Itwould be better to go."
"I shall not go, M'sieu." And Colin Gillies believed in his heart thatMarcel spoke the truth.
The Whelps of the Wolf Page 26
