The Hope pioneer., 1922-10-19
Copyright By Little, Brown ! %.

along those lines. know what you're
thinking. Knew that was what would
happen from the start. And against
the wishes of the person who hired
me for this work, well, brought
the evidence. Here, take q glimpse
and then throw it away, tear it up,
swallow it, or do anything you want
to with 1t, just SO nobody else sees it.
Ready? Look"
He drew forth small visiting card.
Fairchild glanced. Then he looked
and then he sat up straight in bed.
For before him were the engraved
words:
'Miss Anita Natalie Richmond"
While across the card was hastily
written, in hand listinctively femi-
nine:
'"Mr. Fairchild: This is my good
friend. He will help you. There is
no fee attached. Please destroy.
"Anita. Richmond"
"Bu-but don't understand"
"You know Miss-er-the writer of
this card, don't you?"
"But why should she-?"
Mr.. Farrell grinned broadly.
II see you don't know Miss-the
writer of this card at all. That's her
nature. Besides-well, all she's got
to do with me is crook her finger and
I'll jump through. Im-none Of your
business. But, anyway, here I am"
Fairchild could not restrain laugh.
There was something about the man,
about his nervous, yet boyish way of
speaking, about his enthusiasm, that
wiped out suspicion and invited con-
fidence. The owner Of the Blue Pop
py mine leaned forward.
"But you didn't finish your sentence
about-the writer Of that card"
"You mean-oh-well, there's moth
ing to that. I'm in love with her. Been
in love with her since I've been knee
high to duck. So re you. Sos every
! other human being that thinks he's
regular man. Sos Maurice Rodaine
Don't know about the rest Of YOU
but haven't got chance. Don't let
it bother you. The problem right now
is to get your partner out Of Jail. How
much money have you got?"
"Only a little more than two thous-
and"
mot enough. There'll be bonds on
four charges. At the least, they'll be
around a thousand dollars apiece.
Probabilities are that they'll run
around ten thousand for the bunch.
How about the Blue Poppy?"
II don't know what it's worth"
"Neither do I. Neither does the
| Judge. Neither does any one else.
Therefore, it's worth at least ten thOus-
and dollars. That'll do the trick. I'd
| suggest now that you get up. seize your
deeds and accompany me to the palace
of justice. Otherwise, that partner
of yours will have to eat dinner in
q place called in undignified language
the hoosegow!"
Soon Fairchild was dressed and
walked hurriedly up the street with
the voluble attorney. A half-hour
more and they were before the court,
Fairchild. the lawyer and the jail-worn
Harry, his mustache fluttering in more
directions than ever.
"Not guilty. Your Honor" said Ran
dolph P. Farrell. "May I ask the ex-
tent of the bond?"
The Judge adjusted his glasses and
studied the information which the dis
trict attorney had, laid before him.
"In view Of the number of charges
and the seriousness of each, must fix
an aggregate bond Of five thousand
dollars, or twelve hundred fifty dollars
for each case"
"Thank you; we had come prepared
for more. Mr.. Fairchild, who is Mr..
Harkins' partner, is here to appear as
bondsman. The deeds are in his name
alone. the partnership existing, as
understand it, upon their word Of hon
or between them. refer, Your Honor,
to the deeds Of the Blue Poppy mine.
| Would Your Honor care to examine
them?"
His Honor would. His Honor did.
For long moment he studied them,
and Fairchild, in looking about the
courtroom, saw the bailiff in conversa-
ton with a tall, thin man, with squint
eyes and scar-marked forehead. A
moment later, the Judge looked over
his glasses.
"Bailiff!"
Eyes, Your Honor"
"Have you any information regard
ing the value of the Blue Poppy min
ing claims?"
"Sir. have Just been talking to
Mr.. Rodaine. He says they're we'll
worth the value of the bond"
"How about that. Rodaine?" The
judge peered down the courtroom.
"They'll do." was his answer, and
the Judge passed the papers to the
clerk of the court.
"Bond accepted. I'll set this trial
for November H."
"Very well, Your Honor" Then he
turned with a wide grin to his clients.
| .rhat'S all until November"