The Lamar register., 1917-02-21


You sure can count me in on that,
Mr.. Van" eagerly assented Dupont.
"All right. I've got him fixed. But
| wanted to make sure of your backing.
If he comes to dinner tonight III have
gay little surprise or two up my
sleeve for him."
81 been waiting TO ask you about the
mine. How're we going to work the
dealT"
We've got to make a show of u
real contest. It's to be run on the old
style rush plan"
suppose one of them there men at
the butte has the best horseT'
Vandervyn thrust out his jaw.
Don't fash yourself. I'm going to
have that mine. This is my idea OF
the way Wen fix it" He leaned over
and murmured in Duponts eur.
The trader shook his head. "Um-m !
I'm not saying that mightn't work.
Just the same, though, it'd make you
the only one what could do the enter
ing. I'd be IA sooner"
''The mine would be entered by me
but of course we would have the un-
Outstanding that you were to get your
half" replied Vandervyn. He stepped
briskly to the door. Come, / guess
the bunch has had time enough to cool
their heels"
Still frowning obviously. Dupont fol-
lowed him over to the office, where
Hardy and the commissioners sat wait
ing for them, stiT and constrained.
Hardy at once addressed Vandervyn:
BE so kind as TO open the safe and lay
before these commissioners every pub
lie paper in the office They decline to
show me their authority for an inspec-
ton of my accounts Therefore ! have
declined to make an official presenta-
ton to them of agency affairs. There
is nothing to conceal from any in
quirer. You may hand every document
to these persOns-in my presence"
Vanderyyn nonchnlantly shrugged.
and went over 10 open the safe One
Of the commissioners remarked in an
oficlous tone: where is the issue
clerk? He ought to be present to ex-
plain his accounts"
That's Charlie Redbear. gentle
mantle interpreter" explained Du-
pont. "He lit out with his sister, down
the creek to his house. when we was
eating. Want me to send for hlm2
You'll need him To make your official
talk to the chiefs"
"You will do as well for that, Jake"
lnterposcd Vanderyyn. Besides. | be-
lieve the commissioners will wish to
put of the powwOwing until tomOr-
row. It's a tiresome trip across from
the railroad. No doubt they will
glance through the agency papers,
and then go over to your house to
plan the opening of the mineral
lands"
The big. blear-eyed man who had
ridden in the front seat of the car, nod
ded and replied in an oily tone: IF
you assure US the accounts are cor
rect, Mr.. Vandervyu, think II is need
less trouble at this time to make fur
Their investigation
"StiH. oughtn't we to" One Of the
commissioners began a querulous OBJ
lection. But his fellows were rising
to leave the office, and he bent to the
will Of the majority.
Hardy bowed them out with pune
tlliuus courtesy. He was still working
when Maric's Indian boy brought word
that she wished him to come to din
ner without fan. He hcsitated, but at
last sent back the reply that he would
be present.
Having in mind the cold and almost
insulting manner Of the visitors, he cut
his arrival as close as possible This
proved to be "A tactful move Though
the newcomers We're all mellow with
whisky. chilling silence followed the
entrance Of the acting agent Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder and
poured himself another drink without
word of greeting.
Only Vandrryyn raised his empty
glass to the last guest. and called
Ironically: Just in time, captain.
Here's TO your quick progress along
the course OF your career"
Hardy did not reply. He was bow
ing To Marie. who had that moment ap-
peared in the dining room doorway.
Dinner is served. gentlemen" she
said, and she bowed in her most grande
dame manner Captain Hardy, you
may take me in