The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-10-30

away; not just that he has come near
dong ! don't know how much harm In
having Crowdy turn those calves with
the lung-worm put into the fields with
the others. not just that during the
last few months, he has lost money
for us right and left. II isn't just these
things which have set me to wonder
ing, Doc. What l want to know is
this: in how many other, still undis-
covered ways. has Trevors been knit
ing us? And what else will he have
ready to spring on us now?"
Just what do you mean?" Trip
looked at her keenly.
This case of lung-worm, to begin
with: where did it come from?"
Imported" said Trip. "Trevors
bought those calves, or at least four
OF the sick ones, last month. Brought
them in from somewhere down the
river. Struggled them In far as ! am
concerned. Never gave me a chance
to look them over" He paused a
second. Especially imported. l might
say"
81 knew IT." cried Judith. That's
the sort of thing l am afraid of. If he
has gone to the limit of introducing
one disease among our cattle, what
other plaques has he brought to the
ranch? Has he imported any other
outside stock?"
No. He's been buster selling at q
sacrifice than buying, just as l wrote
you. Never another head has he
bought lately-unless," and Trips
eye twinkled at her, 'you count
pigeons"
Pigeons! !" repeated Judith.
Trip nodded.
Funny. isn't It," he went on lightly
that a man like Bayne Trevors,
hard as nails and as free of senti-
ment as a mule, should fancy little
cooling, innocent-like pigeons? You'll
hear them in the morning"
But Judith was not to be distracted
by Trips talk. She smiled at him,
however, to show him that she had
understood and appreciated the pur-
pose back of his light words.
Were all going to have our hands
full for a spell, Doc" was what she
said. ITO Trevors, with a free swing
here, it must have appeared rather a
simple matter to make so complete a
failure as to force US, encountered as
W. are, into selling out to the highest
bidder inside the year. But, Doc, he
must have known, too, that at any
time there might occur the very thing
which has happened-that he'd lose
his Job. He strikes me as a rather
Iong-headed man. doesn't he you?
Now, a man who saw ahead, figuring
On this very contingency, would have
more than one trick up his sleeve.
think the obvious thing for you to do
is to make certain that all the rest of
the stock are in shape. VIII you be-
gin tomorrow making a thorough In
v~estigation?"
Eyes" he answered. you're right
there, Judith. There's nothing like
making sure"
Another thing / want you to do"
Judith went on, lis to try to locate
all of dads old men whom Trevors
let go. Johnny Hodge and Kelly and
Harper and Tod Bruce. Well need
them. We've got to have men that
crooked money can't buy"
aren't you magnifying things, judi
ith?" asked Trip quietly. "There's
such a thing as law in this country,
you know"
But she shook her head.
Maybe / am seeing the dangers too
big. But l don't think so. And it will
I see them that way at the beginning.
And as for the law, it costs money.
I'm not sure that Trevors or the lum-
Der people would be averse to getting
us involved in a lot Of legal intri-
cacies. Oh, he has been careful no
to leave any definite proof behind
him."
you hit the bell that time J"
laughed Trip, and Judith smiled with
him as there came to their ears the
faint tinkle of the t~elephone-bell ! in the
office.
Judith excused herself and FASTENED
to answer the summons. fastened be-
cause she wanted to be back with
Trip as soon as might be. SO, know
ing her way so well about the big house
she went quickly through the dark
hallway without turning aside to
switch on the lights and came into the
office, dimly lighted by the stars shin
ing In through the windows.
She snatched up the telephone In
strument.
Hello" said Judith. "Who Is 1t"
1t was the telegraph operator In
Rocky Bend. A message for Miss
Judith Sanford from Pollock Hamp-
ION, San Francisco. And the message
what were you thinking of to
.huck Trevors? Thoroughly excellent
nan. You should have consulted me.
Don't do anything more until ! come.
Send conveyance to meet Saturday
rain. Bringing five guests with me.
POLLOCK HAMPTON"
J,d;+b +,rnod frounfnp tn Trim