Read The Third Riel Conspiracy for Free Online Page B

didn’t locate Riel last night?”
    â€œWe were close. We tracked his party north, but around two o’clock we were relieved by a group of Scouts who know this area better. If he’s not in our hands by nightfall, my men and I will take up the hunt once more.
    â€œI fear I might be getting a little old for this sort of thing. When Art Wheeler put out the call for men I couldn’t help but join up. I was at Rogers Pass proving out the line that Rogers surveyed. A wire was sent to Eagle Summit and one of the lads came up the pass to report the news, and I made for Fort Calgary.”
    â€œWhen did you pass through Calgary?”
    â€œMay 1.”
    â€œI had just left. Did you see Charlene?”
    â€œI wasn’t there but a few hours while Wheeler formed us up into a company and we were on the tracks once again.”
    â€œI’m worried about her.”
    â€œShe’s fine,” Garnet said paternally. He watched as Durrant slipped from under his blankets, rolled up his left pant leg and affixed his leg. “You’re looking quite well, Sergeant.”
    â€œThe prosthetic fits better now. It doesn’t worry the nub so much anymore. I can walk without the crutch much of the time. I use that cane you gave me most days.”
    â€œYou’ve discovered its secret?”
    â€œI have indeed, though I’ve not had call to use it.”
    â€œNot yet, but knowing you, I suspect you will.”
    Saul Armatage arrived, holding a heavily laden cloth and wearing his wool travelling suit and overcoat. They sat by the fire and ate potatoes with the skin on them and slabs of bacon with biscuits and drank more of Garnet’s coffee.
    â€œIs what I hear true? There has been a murder in the zareba, and a Métis deserter has done the deed?” asked Garnet while he finished his breakfast. Durrant and Saul retold what they had learned of the deceased man the previous evening. When they finished, Garnet said, “This Reuben Wake character certainly sounds like he was worth the bullet.”
    â€œIt’s all just conjecture at this point,” cautioned Durrant.
    â€œ You’re going to investigate, aren’t you?” Garnet’s tone suggested both amusement and inevitability.
    â€œI should like to get to the bottom of some things.”
    â€œSuch as what, if any, motive did this Terrance La Biche have? Who else besides the father of the molested girl might have wanted Reuben Wake dead?” said Saul.
    â€œHow was it that this La Biche, who was supposedly under guard, managed to sneak away at the height of the battle, find Wake’s very own pistol and kill him with it, and then sneak back into the cookery?” added Garnet.
    Durrant agreed. “I’m very curious about what motive Mr. La Biche might have had. If he hadn’t taken up arms but was merely tending to his cattle, as we have heard, one might assume that he didn’t hold with Riel and Dumont. If that was the case, then why kill a teamster under the command of the Dominion?”
    â€œAnd why this particular teamster?” asked Garnet.
    â€œIf the rumour of . . . rape . . . is true”—Durrant looked down at his hands uncomfortably—“and if this girl’s father is here in this very camp, also under guard, did he slip his bonds?”
    Saul added, “The murdered man was shot in the head at point-blank range. How is it possible that a Métis who was a foe of the deceased was able to walk right up to him and pull the trigger?”
    Durrant had been sitting on a crate. He stood up now, taking his crutch and tucking his armament into holsters and pockets. “These are all good questions, gentlemen, and I am grateful that you have deputized yourselves as aides in this investigation. I must go and face the unpleasant task of requesting an interview with Terrance La Biche from my superior, Sub-Inspector Dickenson. I should hope he is