The spectator., 1921-01-14
Copyright. All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER ix-Continued.

suppose that some strange eccentric chap owns one of these coal limits. He lives up Tn the mountains, kind of hermit. but we fall in with him and offer him S400o0 for his limit, worth, say, $O0,ooO, or more if you feel like If. He says. All right, but mind want the money in bills, and you'll have to bring IL out to me here Now can you think of anything?'
 Harris don't know nothin' about coal" protested Riles. He wouldn't bite al anythin' like that"
 Your faith has been neglected as we'll as your imagination. You've got to paint 1t to him sos to get him in- terested. That's all. Our business Is to get Harris, with the money in his wallet started up into those noun tains. It's mighty lonely up there, with timber wolves, grizzly bears, precipices, snow slides, and trails that lead to nowhere, and If Harris is un- fortunate-well, he's unfortunate"
 The plan gradually penetrated Riles' sslow-working mind. At first 1t numbed him little, and his face was a strange color as he turned to his companion, and said in low voice, "Ain't 1t risky? What if the police catch on?"
 '"They won't. They're all right for cleaning up rough house, but don't cut any figure in fine art work like we'll put over. tell You, Rifles, it's absolutely safe. The main thing is to see that he has the money in bills; anything else would be risky and lead to trouble. Then this fellow that's supposed to own the mine must be kept in the background. We"
 But who does own the mine?''
 Gardiner made gesture of exas- peration. You don't get me, Hiram. Nobody owns the mine. That part of it's all myth--a fairy tale manufac- tured because we need 1t. But Harris mustn't find that out-not. at any rate until it's too late Then if any thing ever does leak out, suspicion will be directed toward some mysterious mine owner, and the police will be wearing ont shoe leather hunting the cracks in the foot hills while you and I are taking in the sights of Honolulu or South America. Wen quietly make an appointment for Harris to meet the mine owner somewhere up in the hills. We'll direct him where to go, and leave if at that. Of course. we won't go with him; we'll have other busi- ness about that time"
 RilpS looked Carli,,a,. ,ri.h franl- admiration. It seemed so simple now, and In his growing enthusiasm he felt that he would have little difficulty in persuading Harris to raise all the cash possible and bring 1t with him. And It seemed so safe. As Gardiner said. the mountains were full of danger, and if something should happen to Harris-well, he would be unfortu- nate; but lots of other people had been unfortunate. too.
 Gardiner turned his team down side road. forded the river, climbed steep, slippery bank, and drew up be- side cluster of ranch buildings shel- tered with cotton woods and spruces. As the team, in their long. steady trot swung up beside the stables, an alert young fellow came quickly out and busted himself with the unhltching.
 Guess you ought to know our vis- itor. Jim. shouldn't you?" said Gardi- ner Another Manitohan chasing the free land"
 Travers at once recognized Riles and extended his hand. Well, Mir Riles, W weren't looking for you here, al- though I suppose I shouldn't be sur prised. for there was some talk of your coming west before I left Plain vile. How's everybody? Harrises we'll, hope?'
 Guess they're well enough, but get tin kind O scattered for family group. Beulah lit out when you did hut guess I cant give you no infor- nation about that"
 The smile did not depart from Tray as we'll as he should he would have seen the sudden srnoldering light fin the eye. But the young man answered quietly, ''l saw Beulah the day l left Plainville, and l understood she was going west on visit. She isn't back yetY'
 Innocent. ain't chuh?" said Riles. in manner intended to be playful. Its all right; I don't blame you. Beu- lah's good girl If hit highfalutin, an few years roughin' 1t on the homestead1l take that out of her"
 But Jim had dropped the harness and stood sQuarely facing Rifles. The smile still fingered on his lips. but even the heavywitted farmer saw that he had Ieen playing with fire. Riles was much the larger man of the two. hut he was no one to court combat unless the odds were overwhelmingly in his favor. He carried scar across his eye as constant reminder of his folly in having .once before invited trouble from younger man.
 "What do you mean?" demanded Travers. Put if in English"
 But Gardiner interposed. Don't be