Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-12-12
CHAPTER XIII
A SiRnoL-Fire?

A SignaL-Fre?
Bayne Trevors' way had ever been
to play safe, the way of a coward or
a wise man. Even now, no doubt he
was giving an account of himself in
legitimate endeavor at the lumber
camp, putting in his appearance at
his regular hour, safe miles lying be-
tween him and that which might oc-
cur upon the Blue Lake ranch, estab-
fishing alibis, conducting himself like
the man he wished the world to think
HIM But in the mind of Bud Lee
there was no question, no doubt
Bayne TrevorS, or one of Bayne Ire
vOrS' gang, was even at this instant
holding Judith somewhere until this
colossal deal could be put over. Tre-
face went winter, his hands shut tight
er into hard fists, as there came to his
mind the picture of Qunnion's twist
ed face and evil, red-rimmed eyes.
"Well?" snapped Carson, What
now?"
There's going TO be no sale in the
morning" said Lee and at the new
strange tone in Lees voice Carson
jerked up his head thrusting it for
ward, peering at the other through
the m0onlit night.
"Say it again." muttered Carson
"Who said so? Miss JUDITH"
"She isn't here" replied Lee briefly.
Hasn't been her since Saturday
night"
Now, with more cause than ever,
did Carson stare at him.
"Then what did Pollock Hampton
say sell for? BY cripes, if this is one
of that young hop-o.my- thumbs jokes,
I'm going up to the house an murder
him. That's all. An right now"
Lee laid a hand on Carson's arm.
Hold on, old-timer," he said short
ly. "Well have talk with him after
a while. Now 1 want to talk with
YOU
Contenting himself with the coolest
of brief outlines, Bud Lee told Carson
VI Juullll dDSclICc anu VI ONh
suspicious. Carson, who had listened
to him gravely, at the end shook his
| head.
That's pretty bald play, Bud" he
said slowly. II don't believe TrevOrs
would get that coarse in his work. 1t
doesn't look like him a little bit"
Does this sale look the least little
bit like Judith?' demanded Lee sharp
| ly. is it her style to go over our
heads this way, Carson? If she's got
to sell heavily, why pick out this par
ticular set of buyers? Why IS the deal
rushed through while she's away? /
tell you there's niger in the wood
pile and it's up to you and me to
smoke him out. Come up to the
house with me-"
Marcia did not see them as they
drew near in the moonlight. For
with plan shaping in his brain, Lee
judged best that they should not be
seen. He and Carson passed In wide
arc about the left end of the court
yard, around the end Of the house ant
so to door opening from the office tC
the back of the house. This door he
found unlocked and pushed quietly
open.
Hampton lifted swift eyes, sensing
something stern and ominOus in thii
silent approach.
1--WE want to talk things over will
yOu," began Lee.
"If you've come to bulldOze me Ou
of that deal In the morning" retorteC
Hampton, "you might as well keel
still. Pm going to SELL
Il don't know that you'd eXactl,
call it bulldozing," smiled Lee, deter
mined to be pleasant with the youn
fellow as long as possible. "Bu
you've got sense enough to listen t.
reason, Hampton"
"Have II" jeered Pollock. Thanks.
"Lf Miss Sanford wants the deal t
go through" continued Lee, ''why
then, of course, through it goes.
she doesn't, there's going to be n
sale"
II tell you she wired me to sell;
showed you the telegram"
But you didn't prove to me tha
she sent it, You didn't know yoursel
whether it had been sent by her c
Doan, Rockwell & Haight, or b
Bayne Trevors sor the devil himself
He took up the telephone and said int
1t, Western Union, Rocky Benz
That you, Benton? This
Lee of the Blue Lake. We weI
to get in communication wit
Miss Judith Sanford, somewhere
San Francisco. Send this message
every hotel there, will your An
rush it: Must have word with yo
Immediately. Important. Telephone
Got it? Oh, sign 1t, Carson and-ar
Tripp. Rush it, I tell you, Bento
And If you get in touch with Mi
Sanford in any way, tip us off her
will you? Thanks"
"She might be visiting with friends
: muttered Hampton, little pleased
the thought that Lee and Carson we
seeking to rob him of his newly a
quired Importance.