The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-02-10

ris?" Rifles was beginning to address
himself mainly to the older man.
Don't take me up wrong" said Al
Ian. I'm In on this along with Dad.
IL he's in; an II he's out, I'm out. But
| was Just kind o. curious about it,
"Its all right, it's all right as
sured Rifles, with great magnanmity.
Inwardly he was cursing Gardiner Tor
having left this task TO him. He was
suspicious of trap In the simplest
question. and feared that any minute
he might find himself tlounderlng In q
mesh of contradictions.
"Where Is this coal mine, and who's
| got IT." said Harris.
IT amt saw 1t myself" admitted
Rifles. They're awful p'tic'lar about
lettin' people see IT," he continued,
with sudden flash OF inspiration
ITS so vamble, y know"
"'Fraid somebody'll bring II home
| in their pocket, I suppose" said Al
Ian.
Rifles pretended TO laugh heartily.
"But where is it?' insisted Harris.
as there railroad near or how do
you get at it?'
ats up in the mountains. an thats
all | can tell yOu; but it's all right,
an there's a pile o money In II. l
ouess 7 better bring Gardner down in
the morning. an he'll explain all
about il. " see, he knows the fellow
'at owns il. an l don't. an he'll be
able 10 tell you. That is, If you
go,n I'm on II. Gardner won't say
much unless he knows you're goin' In
OIL it,
'.Wer he'll have TO say good deal
before he knows" said Harris. =
amt buyin' n pig in a poke. He's got
T. show me and then if it's all right,
why, It's all right"
"Oh as all right" said Iiiles, al
though inwardly he felt little enthu-
slasm over the attitude of either IA
ther or son. He was annoyed that Al
Ian should be present. ON the whole
1t would be better To leave the resi-
of the explaining to Gardiner.
"What dye think of 1t, DadE" said
Allan. when Rifles was gone.
"NTay be all right" said Harris
"Wouldnt be surprised but il Is. Al
the same time, | amt goin' 10 put 6
cent in II till I'm dead sure. Ana any
wov there's no use lettin' Rifles thinl
we're keen on It."
"That's what I think. You thini
Gardeners all square in itE
al don't know. Likely he's gettin;
fat commission from somewhere
Int that's fair enough, If he make
rho deal. But he won't see any 9
our money till have the opinion 0
the best lawyer in town. That's al
we can say till we see 1t"
"What dye say II we sell the oil
farm anyway, an then II TINS min
business don't look good, well plum
II into farm landT
"Might do worse" his father agreed
! "WeII have n look round for a day @
l two, anyway"
In the afternoon Gardiner and Rile
| drove into town and met the Harrise
| in the waiting room Of the hote
| GARDENERS greeting was friendly, b'
| not overfamiliar, as became ma
| who had recently suffered some rene
| ton on his character. He shook la
| ris and Allan by the hand, inquire
after the cattle and the crops, but Ill
creetly avoided family matters, ma
ing learned from Rles that all ha
not been going smoothly in their q
nestle affairs. Gardiner knew lit
room at the back of the bar, TO whi'
he escorted his guests. Having q
!. dered bottle and glasses on u
~ table. he turned the key In the door
you can't be too careful" he e
IN nlained. "You know, the walls ha'
or ears. and IL IL gets out that this co
mine can be picked up at the price '
ve have on It, 1t will be taken befo
mn night understand your money
an not here yet, Mr. HarrisT
mo. Not started. / guess. Il
:, fact IL. haven't sold the farm"
~ "Well. / don't want to hurry yo
80 but you've got to act quickly, or n
10 at all. OF course, we don't figure
~ taking any chances. Our Idea Is
III turn the property over at once at
N good profit. That's the way you II
' about II too, isn't itT'
"I'm not coal miner"
H. EXACTLY. Neither are the men W
ed. own most Of the mines of this cot
I try. There comes time, Mr.. Harr
when we realize that we don't have
at, get down with pick and shovel
'ut make ourselves some money-in ia
ce. the man with pick and shovel has
IN time to make any real money.
me glad you feel like do about 1t, To-
have already taken the liberty OF p
d." tirg the proposition up to N
TN York syndicate"
'ys "You mean II we don't co
his | 81 rou0h thev willi"