The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-02-29
Diamonds of MalOpO

| pipe Itself undoubtedly lay In IN
Malopo claim, probably immediatel,
beneath the place where the De Wit
stone had been discovered
you asked me just now what Mr.
De Witt had to do with U.s." said Ned
"using words for which 1 hope YOU
may be forgiven. There's your answer
sir. Tomorrow the syndicate gets holt
of the Big Malopo unless you're OF
hand In the Chamber of Commerct
building at ten to sSop it."
"I'll be there" answered Winton.
Remember, they'll stop you If they
can, and by now they know that you're
in Malopo. 1t may be they're making
their plans while We sit talking here
Go home, Mr.. Garrett, and stay there
Keep among the crowd. Don't obey
no messages, nor go to meet nobody.
Where Is it7r
"The Continental"
''The best place. Stay there all the
evening. See your windows fastened.
Put something against your door.
Keep your revolver handy"
i've never owned revolver In my
life.' said Winton.
Ned Burns made a clucking sound
and, opening the drawer. pulled out a
small automatic. Take this, Mr.. Gar
rett," he said. you may need 1t. It's
loaded. That1l be all. Except, re-
member not to talk alone to strangers
mo, there's something more" said
Winton. II came away without my
breakfast. Can you give me bite,
Mr.. Burns?"
Ned Burns shook his head as If he
thought Winton uncommonly green.
But he took some bread and bacon
from closet. and, going to the door,
began to build little fire of sticks in
front Of the shack. Soon Winton was
eating with more relish than he had
felt since he had landed.
IN do what you say, Mr.. Burns" he
said when the meal was ended. "And
don't worry about your job. We stand
together. 1t seems like Providence, my
turning up at this time"
1T Is Providence answered Burns.
Half q minute, Mr.. Garrett. Well
see what the book has to say about It,"
He brought the Bible out Of the
shack, opened it, and began to read:
zone young bullock, one ram, one he
lamb of the first year, for burnt Offer
ing; one male of the goats for sin
offering; this was the oblation Of Ahira
the son of Enan."
He closed the Book. 1--WE win, Mr..
Garrett" he said in a tremulous voice.
"We win"
How do you make that outY asked
Winton.
Its as plain as pikestaff, sir. The
young bullock is the Big Malopo. The
rams Judge Davis. The he-lamb of
the first year Is yourself. The male of
the goats for sin offering is Mr.. De
Witt, who's to be punished for his
sins"
"And Ahira, the son of Enan 2" asked
Winton.
That's the big diamond responded
Ned.
1t was evident that the Waterman
had not yet learned of the supposed
robbery, and Winton did not think it
necessary to enlighten him. He babe
him good-by and turned toward Malopo.
But his mind was in whirl, and, feel
ing the need Of being alone in order to
think. Winton retraced his steps after
he had gone some distance, crossed the
fields by means of a success
sion of plank paths, and made his
way into the desert.
Winton tramped on, turning over in |
his mind all that Ned Burns had told |
him. His coming had certainly been |
Doubtless De Witt and |
Davis, believing that they would never
be troubled by him, had felt secure in
heir scheme. The Big Malopo was to
De wound up and reconstructed, prob
ably a trifiing sum would be sent to
Archie; and Judge Davis would be the
'uler of the diamond fields.
He meant to stop that game. But
he thought Of Sheila kept intruding
nto the situation, and of Seaton, under
De Wits thumb.
The sun was low in the west, and
he cool of the afternoon was refresh
ng as he made his way back toward
Ialopo. He crossed the fields, passed
through the new suburb, and found
imself among the street crowds again
l few minutes later he was ascending
he steps that led up to the stoep Of
he Continental, where a group was
till discussing the absorbing topic Of
he robbery.
Winton, lingering among the men for
few moments. drew the conclusion
hat no progress had been made so Tar
a the solution of the mystery.
He might have waited, but as he
TODD there he saw little man with
heavy mustache standing a little
Tay beyond the throng and regarding
i'm attentively. Winton did not Ike
he little mans face. and he suddenly
Ned's injuDctions. lie
new that If he remained the little
ian would accost him.
He was turning away when the sup
er bell began to ring In the hall
ne or two men got up. and Winton
emf with fhpm Inward fhp room wbqra