“Case is not parallel though,” he added thoughtfully. “These men who come to the island for moose need the meat to feed their families; anyway that’s their excuse.
“And it’s good enough excuse for me!” he added emphatically. “I’m neither deputy nor game warden. I’m here to guard the buildings of this resort from fire and theft. If I interfere with these moose hunters I’m likely to be found cold and stiff under the snow.”
“But it is a shame!” Berley said quietly. “Moose are such magnificent creatures! And Isle Royale is about the only place you can see them. Think of the hundreds who come to the island every year just to see them.”
“Y-e-s,” Ed drawled, “I’ve thought of them and I’ve wondered why the moose are not protected in winter. But that distinctly ain’t my job. So there you are.”
“I’m not so sure those men were not members of the kidnaping band. There must be batteries and spotlights on the plane. They could hook those up and use them. They’ll be needing meat. Why shouldn’t they hunt moose?”
“Might be, but I doubt it.” Ed stirred the fire.
“Oh, oh!” exclaimed Berley Todd, as a sudden thought took possession of her. “Suppose those were moose hunters. Suppose they were to meet the kidnapers. Suppose they think the kidnapers are wardens and deputies; and the kidnapers think they’re detectives from the city. Suppose they meet and shoot it out!”
“And then suppose we come upon them all dead with their boots on,” Red drawled. “They do that in the movies.
“Ed,” he demanded, “when will this storm end?”
“Perhaps day after to-morrow.”