The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-12-26
Judith of Blue Lake Ranch

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 and
so to door opening from the office to
the back of the house. This door he
found unlocked and pushed quietly
open.
Hampton lifted swift eyes, sensing
something stern and ominous in this
silent approach.
"We want to talk things over with
you," began Lee.
IF you've come to bulldoze me out
of that deal in the morning" retorted
Hampton, 'you might as well keep
still. I'm going to SELL"
Il don't know that you'd exactly
call it bulldozing," smiled Lee, deter
mined to be pleasant with the young
fellow as long as possible. But
you've got sense enough to listen to
reason, Hampton"
"If Miss Sanford wants the deal to
go through" continued Lee, why,
then, of course, through 1t goes. If
she doesn't, there's going to be no
sale.'
IL tell you she wired me to sell; /
showed you the telegram"
"But you didn't prove to me that
she sent it. You didn't know yourself
whether it had been sent by her or
Doan, Rockwell & Haight, or by
Bayne Trevors or the devil himself"
He took up the telephone and said into
it, Western Union, Rocky Bend.
That you, Benton? This is
Lee of the Blue Lake. We went
to get in communication with
Miss Judith Sanford, somewhere in
San Francisco. Send this message to
every hotel there, will you? And
rush it: Must have word with you
Immediately. Important. Telephone.
Got it? Oh, sign it, Carson and-and
Trip. Rush it, l tell you, Benton.
And if you get in touch with Miss
Sanford in any way, tip US off here,
will you? Thanks"
"She might be visiting with friends, /"
muttered Hampton, little pleased at
the thought that Lee and Carson were
seeking to rob him of his newly ac-
Quired Importance.
where's Mrs. Simpson, asked
Lee
'Gone to bed" answered Hampton.
"And Miss Langworthy is still on
the veranda. Now Hampton, Carson
and 1 want look at Miss Sanford's
room. Come with US, will you?'
"Fm id If I Will" cried the boy
holly. II don't know what you are
up to, but I'm boss here and I'm Civ
ing orders, not taking them. If there's
any reason in all this, I've got the
right to know what it is"
"Yes," answered Lee thoughtfully.
you've got the right. just don't
like the looks of affairs, Hampton. ]
don't believe all that I hear / don't
believe Miss Sanford sent that wire.
I don't believe she is in San Francisco.
I do believe that your friend Trevors
has got hold of her somehow, and
that he is playing you for a sucker.
That's our reason in this. Now will
you come with us to her room?"
''Trevors?' said Hampton. Then
he laughed. you are like the rest,
Bud. Trevors is gentleman, and you
try to make him crook Such a
scheme as you imagine is absurd and
ridiculous. And / won't go prying
with you into Judith's room"
"Come on, Carson" said Lee. IF
Hampton wants to stay here, let him"
But the young fellow was on his
feet, his face flushed, his eyes excited.
you'll get out of this house and
do it quick" he cried sharply. IF