The Connecticut labor news., 1921-02-11
The HOn1eSfedder Copyright
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not word was to be said concerning their investment until it was a com pleted fact. Gardiner dropped in oc' casionally to learn if any word had come from Plainville, but it was not until the afternoon of the fourth day that the Hateful yellow envelope wa handed in at the hotel. As it hap pened, Gardiner and Riles were pres ent at the moment. They slipped into the back room and waited in a fever the contents.
 Harris and Allan read the message twice before speaking; then Allan re- peated 1t aloud:
 Twenty thousand dollars proceeds sale goes forward by wire your bank. 1 Correspondence follows. Will explain failure to get price asked
 BRADSHAW"
 Harris was torn between emotions, nervousness as, he struggled with them. That Bradshaw should have sold the farm for half the price he had stipulated seemed incredible. It was robbery it was a breach of trust of the most despicable nature. On the other hand, if the amount available would enable them to buy the mine, the huge profit assured from that in- vestment would much more than off set the loss on the farm. Gardiner and Riles, too, were visibly downcast when they heard the amount, but Gar diner promptly grappled with the situation.
 Its less than we figured on," he said, "but perhaps we can get through still. The thing to do is to get out to l the mine at once with this money. It will be sufficient to prove the genuine ness of our intentions, and induce him into town. Then Rifles can put up some and I can put up some. and that, with the twenty thousand. should hold the deal until Rifles can realize on his farm. Within a 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 as one who had been struck by a new and important thought. "Where do you come in on this deal? Is your old gink up in the hills coming through for half?"
 "Not a cent" said Gardiner. "As for where I come in, well, dealing with old friends like Riles and the Harrises, I considered that a sec Ondary matter. I fancy that when they feel the profits in their pockets 1 they will be disposed to be not only fair, but generous. and. of course, if put up part of the money will expect my share of profit. But Pm not ask ing for any assurance; I'm just going to leave that to you"
 "Well, that's decent, anyway" Har- ris agreed. 'I haven't as much money as I expected, but if we can pull it | through it may be all right yet Of course, you remember that I haven't promised to put up a dollar unless I like the looks of the mine when I see it." Harris still had qualms of hesi- tation about entering into a transac- tion so much out of his beaten path, and he took occasion from time to time to 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 if you don't like it, don't pay"
 Harris at once visited the bank, and returned shortly with the information that the amount, less a 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 rir better pack a couple of blankets and some grub. Make the stableman throw in a couple of saddles; you may have to ride the last part of the trip. Riles and will make it the whole way on horseback" Gardiner then remembered that it would be neces- sary for him to go back to the ranch and change horses, but he described in detf'l the road they should take, and assured them they could not miss it. It was the main road up the river valley-rp, and up-and if they drove hard they would reach that night a spot where an old. deserted cabin stood back in a clump of poplars. It would be good place to spend the night, and Riles and Gardiner would meet them there. if, 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 a 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. "We can't be too careful to keep our busi- ness secret"
 As they stood for moment in the waiting room it occurred to Allan that some shooting might be found in the mountains. You haven't got a gun you could lend me, I suppose?" he said to Gardiner.
 "What do you want a gun for?' Gardiner demanded brusquely.
 Might get shot at a partridge, or somthing. No harm in having one along, is there?"
 "Oh no, but I don't expect you'll see anything to justify the trouble. Anyway, I haven't got one"
 There's a shotgun here," said the hotel clerk, who had overheard the last remarks, eff that would suit you A Cholly who was taking a short