Rapidly he passed along the road, now jogging to relieve the nervous tension, now proceeding at a fast walk.  He came to the slope of the mountain but his pace was no whit slower.  At last, panting and almost exhausted from his terrific efforts, he reached the crest.  He staggered to the ladder and climbed painfully to the watch-tower.  Steadying himself, he swept the horizon in every direction.  The forest seemed to slumber.  No smoke arose, no winds swayed the tree tops.  The twilight peace enfolded everything.  Satisfied that all was safe, Charley sank down on his bunk and lay there until he was rested.  Then he climbed down to his cabin and cooked supper.

Never since he had been alone in the forest had Charley so much felt the need of companionship as he did now.  He lighted a little fire in his hearth and the cheery snapping of the burning sticks comforted him.  He sat down at his wireless and talked with Mr. Morton.  The latter could not tell him much about the situation.  The forester had telephoned from his place for the police and the latter had started at once for the forest.  That was all Mr. Morton knew.  Charley called up Lew and told him as much of the situation as he thought wise, and got the news from Central City.  When he threw over his switch and turned away from his wireless table, he felt somewhat comforted.  But the feeling of dread and apprehension had not altogether left him.

For some time he read, or tried to read.  Study he could not.  At last he went to the telephone and called Mr. Marlin.  He reported that all was well in the forest.  He was burning to ask his chief all about the situation, yet hardly dared.  He might say something that the chief would rather have unsaid; for always there was the possibility of listeners in on the telephone.  And Lumley’s family could listen in as readily as any others.

Doubtless Mr. Marlin appreciated Charley’s self-restraint.  Before he said good-night, he remarked casually to Charley, “I may want you to do some work at the lumber camp to-morrow.  I tried to find Lumley there late this afternoon to give him some orders, but he had gone away.  I have asked his wife to have him call me the moment he comes home.  Don’t forget my final instructions to you this afternoon.  Good-night.”

To an outsider the message would mean nothing, as Mr. Marlin intended it should.  But to Charley it told the whole story.  Lumley had fled before the arrival of the forester and the state police.

Charley reviewed the forester’s words to him, as they talked at the log piles.  “He’s a bad egg.  I really believe he wouldn’t hesitate to commit murder if he were cornered.  You want to watch him.  We’ll have to be mighty careful how we handle this business....  You hustle back to your tower and keep a close watch on things.”