The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-01-27

the huge profit assured from that In
vestment would much more than on.
set the loss on the farm. Gardiner
and Rifles. too. were vislhiy downcnst
when they heard the amount, but Gar.
diner promptly grappled with the
situation
"It's less thnn We figured on" he
said hut perhaps we can get through
still. The thing to do Is To get out 10
the mine ~ once with this money. N
will he sufficient To prove the genuine.
ness Of our Intentions. and induce him
into town. Then Rifles can put up
some and can put up some, and that,
with the twenty thousand. should hold
the deal until Rifles can realize on his
farm. Within very short time we
can turn the whole thing over to the
New Workers. and take IN the profits"
"Say. Gardiner" said Allan, speak.
Ing MS one who had been struck by a
new and important thought. "Where
do you come In on this deal7 II your
old g'nk up In the hills coming through
for half'"
"Not n cent" said Gardiner AS
for where come In. well. dealing
with old friends like Rifles and the
Harrises, I considered that n sec
ondary matter. fancy that when
they feel the profits In their pockets
they will be disposed to be not only
fair. but generous, and. Of course, II !
put up part Of the money will expect
my share 81 profit. But I'm not ask
ing for any assurance: Tn just going
to leave that to you"
well. that's decent. anyway" Har-
ris agreed. 81 haven't as much money
as I expected. but II we can pull II
through u may be all right yet. or
course, you remember that ! haven't
promised TO put M a dollar unless ]
like the looks Of the mine when see
H." Harris stili had qualms Of hesl-
tation aoout entering into transac-
ton so much out Of his beaten path.
and ne took occasion from time 10
time 10 make sure that an avenue Of
retreat was still open.
That's the understanding. exactly"
Gardiner assured him. you're the
man with the money. and II you don't
like II. don't pay"
Harris nj once visited the bank, and
returned shortly with the information
that the amount. less somewhat
startling percentage for transmission
and exchange. was already deposited
to his credit.
Then let us lose no more time"
said Gardiner. with enthusiasm. you
will need team and rig. and you
better pack a couple Of blankets and
some grub. Make the stableman
throw In couple OF saddles; you
may have to ride the last part OF the
trip. Rifles and I viii make II the whole
way on horseback" Gardiner then
remembered that II would he neces-
sary for him to go back to the ranch
and change horses. but he described
In detail the road they should take,
and assured them they could not miss
H. n was the main road up the river
hard they would reach that night q
spot where an old. deserted cabin
stood back In q clump Of poplars. II
would he good place to spend the
night. and Rifles and Gardiner would
meet them there. II. indeed. they did
not overtake them on the road. Neither
Harris nor Allen had any fear of a
strange trail; they had been bred to q
sense Of direction and location all
their lives. and were confident they
would find no difficulty In reaching the
rendezvous.
Better make your own arrange
ments about the horses" Gardiner
whispered as they left the room. ave
can't be too careful to keep our bust
ness secret"
As they stood for a moment In the
waiting room II occurred to Allan that
some shooting might be found In the
mountains. "You haven't got gun
you could lend me. l supposef" he
said to Gardiner.
what do you want gun forr'
Gardiner demanded brusquely.
might get shot at partridge, or
somtFpg. No harm In having one
along. 10 thereT'
"Oh. no. but I don't expect you'll
see anything TO Justify the trouble.
Anyway. l haven't got one"
"There's a shotgun here" said the
hotel clerk. who had overheard the
last remarks. III that would suit you.
A Cholly who was taking a short
course In poker put II up a few days
ago AZ a standoff on his eat score.
There's ten bones against IL; II It's
worth tn n YOU, take IT,"
He handed he run over the coun-
ter, and Allan cNam.ncN with inter
est. lie recognized an English weapon
Of value out Of all proportion to the
price asked.
"rll take H." he said. and paid down
the money. There was a momentary
darkening Of Gardeners face which
nobody noticed.
The little party then moved out to
a