Tombstone epitaph., 1918-03-31
CHAPTER VI.
Waliy Gets Orders.

WalIy Gets orders
 Macdonald. from his desk. looked up at the man in the doorway. Selfrtdge had come in jauntily. a cigar in his mouth. but at sight of the grim face of his chief the grin fled.
 -Come in and shut the door," ordered the Scotsman. q sent for you to con. gratulate you. wally. You did fine work outside. You told me. didn't you that 1t was all settled at last-that our claims are clear-listed for patent!"
 The tubby little man felt the edge of irony in the quiet voice. Sure That's what Winton told me-" he as sented nervOusly.
 ''Then you'll be interested to know that a special agent of the land de partment sat opposite me last night and without batting an eye came across with the glad news that he wal here to investigate our claims"
 Selfridge bounced up like a rubber ball from the chair into which he had just settled. "what!"
 Pleasant surprise. isn't 1t? I've been wondering what you were doine outside. Of course I know you had to take in the shows and cabarets oi New York. But couldn't you edge fir an hour or two once a week to attend to business?"
 Wally's collar began to choke him The cool. hard words pelted like hall Must be bluff. Mac. The muckrake magazines have raised such . TOW about tine Guttenchiid crowd putrinl over big steal on the public that thu party leaders are scared stifY." understand that, Wally. What don't get is how you came to let then slip this over on you without ever guess that it was going to happen That phase of the subject Selfridgt did not want to discuss. "Bet you a hat I've guessed 1t right just 6 grand-stand play of the admin istration to fool the dear people. Thi! fellow has got his orders to give u. a clean bill of health. Sure. Ina must be 1t. I suppose it's this mar Elliot that came up on the boa with us."
 "YeS,"
 Well. that's easy. If he hasn't beel seen we can see him." Macdonald looked his man Frida, over with a scarcely yelled contempt You've about as much vision as { breed trader. Unless I miss my guess Elliot isn't that kind. He'll go througi to a finish. If he sees straight we'r' all right. but if he Is a narrow conser vation fanatic he might 90 ahead ant queer the whole game"
 You wouldn't stand for that" Tn, quick glance of Selfridge asked . ques ton.
 The lips of the Scotsman were lik, steel traps and his eyes points of steel
 WeH cross that bridge if we come t, It. 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 Kamat1ah and feel him out"
 What's he doing here at all? he's investigating the Kamatlah claims why does he so hundreds of miles ou Of his way to come in to Kusiak :? asked Selfridge.
 Macdonald smiled sardonically. He doing this job right Elliot as good q told me that he's on the job to look u] my record thoroughly. So he comes t, kusiak first. In few days he1l leav' for Kamaflah. That's where you com in. wally."
 How do you meanr"
 You're going to start for Kamatlal tomorrow. You'll arrange the stag before he gets there-see all the mel 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 favors Take him everywhere. Show him ey erything. But don't let him get an, proofs that the claims are bein, worked under the same management.
 But he'll suspect 1t"
 "You can't help his suspicious. Don let him get proof. Cover all the track that show company control" T can 1x that" he said. "But wha about Holtf You know how bitter b is-and cray. He 0ught to be locke, sway with the nittef-mice."
 "Yoa mustn't let Elliot meet Holt' How the deuee can I help itf N chance to keep tAem apart in tha little Aole. It can't be doo4" Can't itT
 Something in the quiet voice ran, . bell of alarm h the timid hear of SelfFadSe.
 You mean~
 "A man Who Works for ne ss -, lleutsnant oUgt lave nerve, WaIly Have you eot tAaff Wm you takI 0rdess and Q thru1gA WitA the0r Wally no0dsd Hs llun Wses aEJ