The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-02-14

partment sat opposite me last night
and without batting an eye came
across with the glad news that he was
here to investigate our claims"
Selfridge bounced up like rubber
ball from the chair into which he had
just settled. what"
pleasant surprise, isn't it? I've
been wondering what you were doing
outside. OF course I know you had
to take in the shows and cabarets of
New York. But couldn't you edge in
an hour or two once week to attend
to busineSs?"
Wally's collar began to choke him
The cool, hard words pelted like hail
"Must be bluff, Mac. The muckrake
magazines have raised such row
about the Guttenchild crowd putting
over big steal on the public that the
party leaders are scared stiff
II understand that, Wally. What ]
don't get is how you came to let them
slip this over on you without ever
a guess that it was going to happen
That phase of the subject Selfridge
did not want to discuss.
"Bet you a hat I've guessed it right
Just a grand-stand play Of the admin.
istration to fool the dear people. This
fellow has got his orders to give us
a clean bill Of health. Sure. That
must be it. 1 suppose it's this man
Elliot that came up on the boat
with us"
EYES,"
swell, that's easy. If he hasn't beer
seen we can see him."
Macdonald looked his man Friday
over with a scarcely yelled contempt
you've about as much vision as 9
breed trader. Unless l miss my guess
Elliot isn't that kind. He'll go through
to a finish. If he sees straight we're
all right, but if he is narrow conser
walton fanatic he might 60 ahead ant
queer the whole game"
'You wouldn't stand for that" TIL,
quick glance of Selfridge asked a ques
ton.
The lips of the Scotsman were Xix,
steel traps and his eyes points of steel
"We'll cross that bridge If we come t,
1t. Our first move is to try to win hin
to see this thing our way. I'll have ,
casual talk with him before he leave
for Kamatlah and feel him out"
"What's he doing here at all? I
he's investigating the Kamatlah claims
why does he 60 hundreds Of miles GU
Of his way to come in to Kusiak !?
asked Selfridge.
Macdonald smiled sardonically. "He'
doing this job right. Elliot as good a
told me that he's on the job to look Vi
my record thoroughly. So he comes t
Kusiak first. In few days he'll leav
for Kamatlah. That's where you com
in, Wally."
"HOw do you mean?"
you're going to start for Kamatla
tomorrow. You'll arrange the stag
/. before he gets there-see all the me
and the foremen. Line them up $
they'll come through with the prope
talk. If you have any doubts abou
whether you can trust someone, don
take any chances. Fire him out of tn
camp. Offer Elliot the company hos
pitality. Load him down with favor:
Take him everywhere. Show him e,
erything. But don't let him get an
proofs that the claims are bein
worked under the same management,
But he'll suspect it."
"You can't help his suspicious. Don
lei him get proof. Cover all the track
that show company control"
II can fix that" he said. "But wins
about Holt? You know how bitter h
is-and crazy. He ought to be locke
away with the f1itter-mice."
you mustn't let Elliot meet Holt
"How the deuce can / help it? n
chance to keep them apart In tn:
little hole. 1t can't be DONE"
"Can't it?'
Something in the quiet voice ran
bell of alarm in the timid heal
of Selfridge.
"YOu mean"
"A man who works for me as m
lieutenant must have nerve, Wall
Have you got that? Will you tai
orders and go through with them?"
Wally nodded. His lips were dr.
go to it. What am to do?''
Get Holt out of the way while E
hot is at Kamatlah. 1t isn't doir
Holt any good to sit tight clalnped
that claim of his. He needs chang
Besides, I want him away so that v