The Lazarus Plot Read Free

Frank. "Yes, of course," the bearded man said with a heavy accent.
    "Certainly," replied the other one, with a similar accent. "We come from Quebec. We French Canadians must speak both French and English."
    "Then you can start talking," said Joe, in a hard voice. "Why were you taking target practice on us?" said Frank. "On you?" said the bearded man. "Why should we shoot at you?"
    "Think hard," said Joe, raising his fist-menacingly. "You should be able to remember. It was just about fifteen minutes ago...”
    "Mais non, that was you?" said the wiry man.
    He turned to his companion. "I told you that you were mistaken when you said you saw deer. You are always so quick on the trigger."
    "When you hunt, you must react instantly," said the bearded man defensively. "Otherwise, the deer, they get away. I saw the motion, I was sure it was the deer. Needless to say, I apologize. "
    "I must apologize, too, for hitting you over the head," the wiry man said to Frank. "But when I saw you attacking my friend Henri here, I had no choice. Who knew what kind of criminal or madman you might have been?"
    "Jacques had to do it," Henri agreed. "After all, you attacked me without any reason."
    "That gun you pointed at me seemed like reason enough," said Frank.
    "'I heard you coming through the undergrowth, and naturally I thought you were a - "
    "Don't tell me-a deer," said Frank. "Listen, before I untie you, promise you won't make any more little mistakes. The woods aren't safe with trigger-happy hunters like you around-especially before the season officially starts." Smiling grimly, he took the bullets out of the rifle he was holding, picked up the other rifle and emptied it, then frisked the men, removing all the bullets from their pockets. Meanwhile, Joe searched their backpacks, which were lying nearby, and removed the rest of the ammunition from them.
    "I suggest the two of you try fishing this time of year. It's safer for everyone concerned," said Frank as he and Joe untied the belts from Henri's and Jacques's wrists.
    You cannot do this," said Henri indignantly as he rubbed circulation back into his hands.
    "It is outrageous” agreed Jacques.
    But they took a look at Frank's hands spreading flat in readiness for another karate chop, and Joe's hands balling into fists, and limited further protest to Henri's saying, "You have not heard the last of this." "We will notify the authorities," said Jacques. "You do that," said Joe.
    "Yeah, please," said Frank. "Once they hear our side of the story, you guys can forget about hunting again, unless you want to do it without a license."
    "Okay, okay," said Jacques. "Maybe we do lose our tempers a little. And maybe we were a little too quick on the trigger-especially Henri. I have to admit, it is not the first mistake he makes today. Less than an hour ago, he almost shoot at another person"
    "I tell you, she look just like a deer," muttered Henri.
    “She?" Joe asked instantly. "You saw a girl, near here, a little while ago?"
    "She is wandering around like a lost one," said Jacques. "I have no idea what she is doing here in the middle of the woods. Certainly she is not dressed for it. She is wearing new jeans and a pretty sweater, like she is at a school picnic."
    "Jeans and a sweater," said Joe, trying to keep his voice calm. "Tell me, what did she look like?"
    "A pretty girl, on the petite side, with a face like, how you say, a pixie, and dark hair," said Jacques.
    "Yes, dark hair, like an elk," said Henri. "But you didn't shoot at her?" said Joe. "No, of course not," said Henri.
    "I grab his rifle just in time," said Jacques. "Then I call out to the girl. I think maybe she needs help. But when she hear me, she turn and run” "Which direction?" asked Joe urgently. "That way," said Jacques, pointing.
    "Come on," Joe said to Frank. Without waiting for a response, Joe jogged off in the direction that Jacques had indicated, toward an opening in the trees and thick foliage. "So long," Frank said over