The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-27
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.
(contlnusd.)

Nh (contlnuoo.)
'.WeIl, since We can't drink, sup
" nose we talk about the tavern and dis
tiliery. DO you think you can find a
4 purchaser for them?" he asked.
"Yes."
The captain spread his coat tails
( before the fire and beamed on Benson.
He seemed In no haste to take his
leave.
Il don't admire your manners. Jake,
!. but | do respect your business ability.
II suppose some correspondence will
4 be necessary with Mrs. Gibbs touch
Ing these matters?"
"Yes."
Then" said the captain, I'D better
\ get back to st. Louis. I'll have 10
ask you to look out for her interests
here. ! don't bear malice. ! put 1t
ell down TO youth and inexperience.
One of these days you'll master the
great moral truth that there amt any
good In what's fun for you, and that
there amt any fun In what's good TOR
you. I've cut my cloth accordingly"
He unused In silence for moment,
and then asked suddenly, What do
you hear from the Landrays?'
I'VE hear nothing" said Benson
briefly.
That's odd" and the captain fell
silent again
Have Mrs. Gibbs inform me OF her
Wishes" said Benson, desiring TO be
rid Of his caller.
"Oh, yes. but hold on; was think
ing about the Landrays. | didn't tell
you, did I, that before We heard or
fuckers death, we'd gone up TO st.
y Joseph; while there ! fell in with q
trapper In the employ OF the Ameri.
can Fur Company-a French Cana
dian named LaTour-he had some fine
beaver skins that Mrs. Gibbs was anx-
ious I should buy for her; well. /
didn't buy them, funds were too low;
but I did made one purchase OF him,
and you'll never guess what II was!
Il was a sheath-knife with Stephen
Landray's name cut in the horn han
de"
And now Benson was deeply inter
Sted; he forgot all about his right
eOus contempt for the captain, in his
.eagerness to learn more.
~ did you ask the trapper how he
came by the knife?" he demanded.
Naturally. LaTour said he had lost
his own knife. and had bought this
one Of Mormon freighter he met in
u the mountains near Salt Lake."
But did you learn how the knife
came to be In possession of this Nor
mon?" asked Benson.
why, no. LaTdur asked him no
questions. I suppose Stephen must
have lost the knife; 1t probable
\ dropped out of its sheath. you know
II dare say" and Benson turned
this over In his mind; he felt that 1t
was q matter to be carefully thought
out. For one thing. 1t meant that his
search need not begin east of Salt
Lake, and this was very important
point. He was grateful to Gibbs. and
his manner became almost friendly.
How long do you expect TO remain
There?' he asked.
& II left the stage at Columbus and
hired man to drive me over" he ex-
planned. II guess Id better go back
there the first thing In the morning
You were unkind enough to suggest
tar and feathers: the hint wasn't
wasted
Perhaps I was a little severe,
Gibbs" said Benson grudgingly. But
you know she is my cousin"
I'm delighted at the connection"
and the captain bowed.
well, what are you going to do?"
asked Benson.
II was going to one of the taverns;
but ] guess that's hardly safe. On,
I'll put In the night somehow"
Benson hssitated "A moment. and
then he said:
you'd better have supper with me, |
and spend the night here. I'll drive
you back about day You'll run no
risk" And he led the way into the !
dining-room, while his guest followed
him with hang dog look on his face. |
\ This unexpected kindness affected him |
more deeply than all Benson's pre-
vtous contempt; and the mans heart |
Z WAS touched.
GAA0HRn HME ArN rhnEE