“Why couldn’t we get out the latter way?”
“Because, Josie, it is merely a tunnel going down to the edge of the big lake or an inlet from it. That’s the way they get in their supplies for this place from the boats, but the upper end is closed by great, heavy double doors which are kept securely locked. They have some system of signals by which the Indians here are notified when a boat docks at the mouth of the tunnel.”
“And isn’t there any one in authority here besides those Indians?” insisted Miss Stone. “Are you sure there are no other buildings in the Cup besides these?”
“There are none that I have seen trace of, and I have heard no one giving orders except that frightful Ogima Bush. But,” and Mrs. Johnson lowered her voice, “I _have_ felt every hour I have been in this place that there is some one or something one never sees or hears—”
Her words were cut short by a hissing, crackling disturbance that suddenly broke loose in the upper air outside.
Mrs. Johnson reassuringly placed a hand upon her companion’s arm. “It is only the wireless, dear,” she explained. “It has sputtered away like that a couple of times since I’ve been here, but who operates it, unless it be one of the Indians, I have not been able to find out.
“Oh, yes, I had almost forgotten to tell you,” she added suddenly, “that hideous Indian Medicine Man seems to be hanging around outside to see you about something.” She went to the window and peered out. “He’s gone at last,” she observed. “He had been waiting around out on the lawn over there since he and the other two brought your belongings. I asked him if there was any message he had to leave; but he only made a noise in his throat like the snarl of a wild beast and walked away.”
It was a few moments later that Josephine Stone, while walking down to the shore of the little lake, was suddenly confronted by Ogima Bush.
He bowed low, holding in an extended hand a folded note.
Wonderingly, the girl accepted the missive which was addressed to her in a firm spencerian hand. When she had opened it she read with amazement greater still:—
DEAR MISS STONE:—This is principally to set at rest any fears on your part as to your personal safety. No harm can reach you where you are, and at most you will not be asked to remain there for more than a few days.