The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-12-22
by Little, Brown a 90.

AiiC ADHN VI tbS INApCh - ANASN
me for this work, well, l brought
the evidence. Here, take a glimpse
and then throw it away, tear it up,
swallow it, or do anything you want
to with it, just so nobody else eeS it.
Ready? Look"
He drew forth a small visiting card,
Fairchild glanced. Then he looked
and then he sat up straight in bed.
For before him were the engraved
words:
"Iiss Anita Natalie Richmond"
While across the card was hastily
written, in a hand distinctively femi-
nine:
"Mr. Fairchlld: This is my good
friend. He will help you. There is
no fee attached. Please destroy.
"Anita Richmond"
"Bu-but / don't understand"
this card, don't you"
"But why should she-f"
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. Tm-none of your
business. But, anyway, here / am"
Fairchlld could not restrain a 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
idence. The owner of the Blue Pop
by 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 a duck. So re you. Sos every
other human being that thinks he's
a regular man. Sos Maurice Rodaine.
Don't know about the rest Of you
but / haven't got a 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. There1l 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"
81 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
of justice. Otherwise, that partner
Of yours will have to eat dinner in
a 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 futtering in more
directions than ever.
mot 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, i must fix
aggregate bond of Ave 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
The deeds are in his name
alone. the partnership existing. as
understand 1t, upon their word Of hon.
or between them. i refer, Your Honor,
to the deeds of the Blue Poppy mine.
Your Honor care to examine
them?"
His Honor would. His Honor did.
For a long moment he studied them,
and Fairchild, in looking about the
courtroom, saw the bailiff in converse
ton with a tall, thin man. with squint
eyes and a 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 well
worth the value OF the bond"
allow about that. RodaineT 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. TIL set this trial
for November H."
"very well, Your Honor" Then he
turned with a wide grin to his clients.
That's all until November"
Out they filed through the narrow
aisle Of the courtroom. Fairchild's
knee brushing the trouser leg OF
squirt Rodalne as they passed. AT
the door. the attorney turned toward
thorn then nut forth \ hand