CHAPTER IX
I stared at the man a moment, for little had I expected so gracious a reception.
" Mush on, there," he repeated truculently; " you're not wanted 'round here. Mush 1 Pretty darned smart."
I felt myself grow suddenly, savagely angry. I measured the man for a moment and determined I could handle him.
" I want," I said soberly, " to see the body of my old friend."
" You do, do you? Well, you darned well won't Besides, there ain't no body here."
" You're a liar! " I observed. " But it's no use wasting words on you.    I'm going on anyhow."
With that I gripped him suddenly and threw him sideways with some force. One of the tent ropes took away his feet violently, and there on the snow he sprawled, glowering at me with evil eyes.
" Now," said I, " I've got a gun, and if you try any monkey business, I'll fix you so quick you won't know what's happened."
The bluff worked. He gathered himself up and followed me into the tent, looking the picture of malevolent impotence. On the ground lay a longish object covered with a blanket.    With a strange feel*
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