CHAPTER XLI.
BACK FROM THE DEAD.
Lieutenant Boyd was silent for an instant, and I saw that he was a little staggered by the bold daring of the accusation. Then, looking Ruthven straight in the eyes, he said, in a curt and significant tone of voice:
“I am glad to have found some one who can give information concerning Cuthbert Mackenzie, and I will remember you when certain investigations now pending are taken up by the Hudson Bay Company. Shall I make my meaning clearer?”
“As you please,” muttered Ruthven, with an air of forced calmness.
“It is needless; I think we understand each other,” the lieutenant continued. “As for the prisoner, and the charge you have made against him, I won’t enter into that matter at present. Did you arrest him with a warrant?”
“No.”
“Then you can’t hold him. Set him at liberty, and I will guarantee that you will find him at Fort Garry when you are ready to serve the proper papers on him.”