The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-07-16

| Just as they had come from the hills
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had a nod for Henry Kru
ger. lie was q man OF mark, as Bud
could see In a minute; but II he had
other business with those who hailed
him he let II pass and took out rank
brier pipe. which he pulled while Bud
smoked a cigarette.
They we're sitting together In a
friendly silence when Phil came out of
the dining room, but as he drew near
the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
Who was that old-timer you were
talking tor" inquired Phil. as he sank
down In the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning after with him, don't IT."
"Um." grunted Bud: reckon II IL.
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining man7"
That's right"
Well" exclaimed Phil, what In the
world was he talking to you aboutY"
"Oh. some kind OF a mining deal.
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to go
down into Mexico!"
"what'd you tell himf" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly In
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocks!"
''He can keep em for all OF me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. You know
what I think about Mexico"
Sure: but what was his PROPOSE
toni What did he want you to dor"
Search me! He was mighty mys
terious about It. Said he wanted q
man he could trust"
We'll. holy Moses, Budl" cried Phil.
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
toni"
mo. he wasn't talking about II. Said
II was a good thing and he'd pay me
we'll. or let me In on the deal: but
when he hoilered Mexico l quit I've
got a plenty"
Yes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. Well. you're
one Jim dandy business man. Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last. You'd
let"
ed Hooker defiantly. do you want to
go back into MexicoI Nor me. neither!
What you kicking about1'
You might have led him on and
got the scheme. anyway. Maybe
there's a million In II. Come on. let's
chance. II II was good enough"
"Aw, don't be a fool. Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go In on IL. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for us on this side.
oh. cripes, what's the matter with
your"
He heaved himself reluctantly up
out OF his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
Mr.. Kruger" he said. as the old
man turned To meet him. 'Ill make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger. shaking him by the
hand. "How'do Mr.. DE Lancey."
He gave Phil a rather crusty nod as
he spoke. but DE Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
"Mr. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had. TO go down
into Mexico" he began. drawing up
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's one
tough country to do business In right
now. but at the same time"
The country's perfectly quiet" put
In Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
We'll. maybe So" qualified DE Ian
cey; but when II comes to getting In
supplies"
Not a bit OF trouble In the world"
said the old man crabbedly. mot a
bit"
We'll" came back De Lancey.
whats the matter. thenY What 10
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intently.
I've stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said. "and he refused It. That's
enough. amt IT."
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll, yes. guess It U.s." Then. in
passing. he said to Bud: 60 ahead
and talk to him"
He walked away. lighting a cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly. and the
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got for
a pardner." he remarked "A smart
man. You want to look out" he added.
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope. said Bud you don't know
him like do. He's straight as die"
"A man can be straight and still get
away with YOU" observed the veteran
shrewdly. Yes. indeed" He paused
to let this bit OF wisdom sink In. and
then he spoke again.
You'd better quit-while you're
lucky" he suggested. You quit and
come with me-" he urged. "and II we
strike It Ill make you a rich man.
don't need your pardner on this deal.
! need Just one man that can keep his
head shut. Listen now; I'll tell you
what Il Is.
II know where there's a lost mine
down In Mexico. II I'D tell you the
mama yOu'd know AZ In n minuta and