White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-07-11

NNAASSsA
minds, even sinister. The Opaque
windows suggested draw-poker, stud
poker, and faro, suggested perhaps
discreet bootlegging to some. The
heavy curtained one suggested people
who wished to see without being seen.
But 1t does not, thought Jack, coming
to the Occidental, to be suspicious.
"I'll try this door, anyhow" he said
to himself and entered-to find row
Of easy chairs, each with cuspidor
to right, tall clock on the wall, tick
ing away-and from door to the rear
Walter Dewar lolled into view, head
back, worried quicker on his brows.
It reminded Fiske of the frown on the
foreheads of lions in their cages a.
the zoo.
"There you are. Good morning, Mr..
Fiske," said the Wolfer.
Good morning, Mr.. Dewar," Jack
replied.
A Chinaman slithered past in the
back Of the room and to him Dewar
spoke.
i CONTIGUOUS" said he, you savee
Bunt-Mr. Bunt?"
20 yes"
"You catchum. You tell him one
gentleman here to see him."
The Chinaman disappeared again,
as silently as, he had come. Jack saw
his skinny thin hand raise heavy
blue curtain handing in narrow and
Swallowed corridor.
; The curtain swung again and Blunt
appeared. He nodded gaily and grin
ned like schoolboy who had been up
to some prank.
Where can we talk?" asked De.
war.
WED disturb dice in the front
room and faro in the second; the third
: is locked, so don't know whether it's
seven-up or casino What's the mat
ter with the roof"
l Jack thought at first this was a
! nonsensical remark, in the same YER.
l bal world as that one about "hen's
| teeth; but Dewar looked pleased.
Dandy notion" he said.
. They mounted third flight o1
| stairs that led to the top ceiling level
up on line with the transoms Of the
= top-story bedrooms, and there Dewa1
opened door like ships compan
, ionway. The full sunlight Of morn
ing blazed outside and wind plucked
the cream-colored scarf rund his neck
| He stepped out on to flat roof, hold
ing the door with backward-fung hand
till Jack and Bunt had followed The
{ roof was covered with sheets of lead
Dewar lit his pipe and then said he:
t Pm going to- put a proposition to
you, Mr.. Fiske. You did me a good
turn last night, and so I'm going to
ask another Of you today"
whats that?" broke out Bunt, all
the gaiety ebbed abruptly from him
"That amt what you said to me-"
1T amounts to the same thing,
, said Dewar, looking sadly at Blunt
tits only different way Of phrasing
it. Let me explain. You see, Mr.
Fiske, Blunt Bradley and l are both
little bit queer, like most human be.
ings. You must have read, If you've
never heard, how the mountains can
affect men. Two men alone in the
mountains, unless the same God-if !
say put it so-guides them, are not
comfortable. Two men alone can be
lonelier than one Got that?"
II can understand It," said Fiske
:, gazing at him steadily.
well, anyhow, here's the idea.
Here's the basis for my proposition.
Blunt Bradley and l, Mr.. Fiske, don't
want to go out into the mountains
alone. It may sound foolish to you,
but"
Its the mountains" said Bunt, and
Jack noticed he was staring away off
at them with glum face. The look
OF annoyance that had flashed up a
moment before was gone; but gone
also was that hilarity OF aspect that
had seemed to Jack, on earlier glimps-
es, typical OF Blunt.
I'VE are going out to do a little
prospecting-of sorts. We think you,
as newcomer here, won't talk. We're
willing to give you hundred a month