Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-10-07
g BY Dodd. Mead a Co.
WY Service
CHAPTER xiv


weakness OF the rock In Hermanos
canyon he looked for another dam
site and his int1itive caution had
closed his mouth in the matter until
Baxter's treachery had sent him on
his visit to Fl Nldo the day that Clin-
ton died. ready to make explanations
that he felt would exonerate him
from Bakers charges.
He had discovered his alternative In
Boca- Blanca basin. Caleb's eyes had
seen its possibilities the day OF the
barbecue and later Investigations con-
vinced him that here was his site. bet
ter In some ways even than Hermanos
Two creeks ran through II. for one
thing. the slopes drained more gently
but with sufficient pitch, Clearance
work presented no alarming problems
or cost
It was a month after Baxter had
been warningly dismissed by Cox that
Hinckley, paying flying visits to his
offices between field trips. came into
the room where Caleb bent over his
drafting and slapped him on the back.
1--WE finished my report to the board
OF directors. Warner" he said jubilant-
". Dictated 1t this morning. It's en-
trely favorable. They meet the day
after tomorrow. ! understand they've
practically completed the options for
the watershed. All they now have TO
do is to vote money for purchase and
our end of It and then-it's up to the
pair OF us :" You've earned your hun
dred thousand dollars, which. / mag
Inc, will be vOuchered tomorrow. |
wanted TO be first with my congratu-
lations. l haven't given you any the
best Of II in my Investigations. Hey.
but I'll be glad to buckle down into
the harness againi WIN you come up
to the house to dinner tonight. and
talk over things afterward?"
Caleb assented gladly and Hinckley
said good-by. He had been gone but
q few minutes when boy arrived
with a request for Caleb to see Mr..
Cox.
Cox opened the conversation to the
point without preamble.
you've seen Hinckley. warner7
Then you know that his report is IA
Sorable Now. then. we could close
up the whole matter at the meeting
tomorrow and pass appropriations.
but for one thing.
That's the purchase of the Boea-
Blanca basin. We can't get option or
purchase price on II out of Wharton,
who was handling 1t. He's stalled me
or till yesterday for some reason and
I don't like It. 3 He has recently sold
1t and he says that he has instructions
not to disclose the name OF the pur-
chaser. Part OF the provisions of the
deal. We've got TO have II to com
plete the project. You know that
did not imagine there would be any
difficulty. It's valueless land and no
one but an engineer would ever lmag
Inc II as a reservoir site. Unless
there have been more leaks. Did you
ever get any line on who owns Boca-
Blanca? You found out the owner Of
the Caliente gravel beds"
II own the Boca-Blanca basin," said
Caleb quietly.
"You do7" Cox's left eyebrow went
ap.
81 expected to tell you as soon as
I knew that Hinckley,s report would
be favorable Otherwise my invest
ment would be useless except for
realty"
Your investments" Cox laid down
softly the pencil he was balancing and
subjected Caleb to a scathing scrutiny. i
His demeanor changed. All friendli-
ness left It, the presidents face hard
ened, his jaw shot out and his eyes
became again the color Of ice In shade.
How much do you want to make
Dn your little-inyestment?r he de
handed.
81 paid ten thousand for the whole
yalley. bottom TO hlllrim," said Caleb.
SIX thousand In cash--four thousand
IN a mortgage secured by a five-years'
tote at six. per cent interest.
It'll turn It over TO the company
or exactly what IL has cost me as
loon as my agreement with you is duly
atlfed upon the acceptance Of HInck-
ey's report. was 10 a position to
.et hold OF this property when there
gas no chance Of its value being tilted. :
4 a low price. and took up the op- /
have always intended to {
IelIver Il to the company when my (
wn deal was closed
Cox's face showed faint signs Of 2
elief. his eyes were stilI keen but now 4
hey held qulzzIcal light q
"when your own deal was closed {
lad an ace In the hole all the time. q
b. warner7 II was you I underesti- c
sated Il isn't so often that you find &
n engineer fref-class business man. q
call go far. Warner. Part Of the .
iav with a.. I'm glad co. say. = z c
Caleb nushed q little u
III was hardly an ace IN the hole. g
! aald ~mkmos 4 expected to plav Il 4