Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-09-30

~Quite right. Baxter cox's man
ner was crisp. ''Sfr. Warner is en-
tirely In our confidence. Sit down"
"Oh. very well. I take II that Mr..
Warner knows all about my interest
IA nay friend Thompson in connection
with this matter. An excellent eng
neer, believer
Neither Cox nor Caleb answered.
Baxter drew a long envelope from bis
inside pocket with bit OF a flourish.
Cox's eyes fixed upon 1t. He fancied
that this was the boomerang.
"rhis company has got to have Her
manos valley for its reservoir. Her
manos canyon at its head for its dam
site. Never mind where got the in
formation. There's a model In your
directors room that proves my asser-
ton" For a moment he faltered. Cox
and Caleb had exchanged glances-
Baxter seemed suspicious of them.
ave got the privilege Of sale on
that property" he went on. "For one
year, and thereafter until revoked by
the party Of the first part Now de-
ceased. 1t is an Option-contrnct Bind
ing on the heirs and assigns OF the
late Captain Clinton. I'm going to
offer II to the company at n fair price
with the stipulation already stated
TO you concerning Mr.. Thompson.
Here's the agreement. The price to
me, as you will see is one hundred
and twenty-five dollars an acre. My
price to you. one hundred and fifty.
A fair profit and a fair price. No
ehaneq for condemnation proceed
ings.- He handed the document to
Cox. who ran swiftly over the two
pages, refolded II and passed the pa
per to Caleb.
Caleh's face hardened as he read. |
The essence of the contract, as II APP I
piled to the situation. was that in It I
Baxter was given permission TO sell !
the land without reservation as to its !
uses. for any purposes. without men,
ton of the ranch-hOuse-Or OF the
little cemetery where Clinton himself
now lay buried.
THAT'S my hand" said Baxter
"Your play. Cox. But this thing has
got to be settled Immediately. OIL
go to Oakville."
Cox took the paper refolded by Ca
leb as the latter laid II on the desk
And he handed It back to Baxter.
Doesn't interest u.s." he said.
Bakers jaw sagged He checked
"What?" by biting his underlip as
Cox went on:
$50 far as the Crystal Springs Wa
ter company is concerned. so far as
any water company Is concerned that
carbon is not worth the paper It Is
typed on"
Baxter had braced himself and man
aged a laugh as he leaned forward 4
I'm not here to bluff." he said
"Why isn't IT."
"rl tell you. II you insist" Cox
spoke as IL he had already dismissed
the matter and talked only out Of
bored politeness. "You got Informal
iion about our project. Warmers pre-
nmInary prospectus and the model in 7
the next room, through leaks In this
Office There are leaks In every Office. [
We guard against em. Warner found 8
out long ago that the bed rock, as |
the side formations. in Hermanos can
yon are not strueturally able TO sup
port an impounding dam. a
"He gave up the idea Of that dam /
site, but we didn't bother to change
the model. The details OF Warmers Z
amended plans were submitted to us v
and we approved OF them. But those
details. transcribed by a man whom I g
.ah absolutely trust-my own secre- q
ary- were not filed where anyone Il
night get a look at them-as was the u
.ase with the original prospectus. n
They were filed back of you. Baxter, Il
n that steel cabinet. here in my own b
Dom, under a key that alone hold 81
70 leaks from that, my son. I repeat, cl
We are not In the least Interested In
our option" CT
The boomerang had struck It's
Vielder. "
Baxter looked from one to the other, l
muscle twitchIng high up In one OF
heck. His glance fingered venom /
usIy on Caleb. who had outwitted tn
i'm. fr
$50 that's your Joker card. is TT OF
Veil I've got one to match II. Cut or
his out He put the paper away. re
nd stood up Don't forget I've got tn
nough information TO interest Oak I
lille. rye got an Idea they'll block ST
our project. You won't be able to pl
ny up your lands on the quiet TIL do
ttend to that even If 0akville doesn't no
Ike hold Though fancy they will Ia
nd pay me for the Information. too.
II put the ranchers wise and ri de
post the price Of CaIiente Sink and
! the watershed until the cost will &,
yamp your scheme at the outset"
e whirled on Caleb with a snari.
End You'll lose gegF big stake and ..-
,ur Job at the same time. Warner,
r all your cIeverness. Good morn
g-and be id TO both Of you y do
Baxter. starting for the exit. stopped tw
ort as Il opehed abruptly. He pli
AIRED and faItered az Mary Morgan tut
me swiftly IN and shut the door. jus