The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-15

rlgNI ABOUT In6lu.
"You live here at the light" he
asked Sutton
mo. | don't" The fisherman looked
up in surprise, trying to see what
meaning there was in the question.
He perceived it. and started home.
Baker went out with Sutton.
Sue spoke.
"Your bed is ready, Mr.. Delong."
she explained. through that door, on
the assistant keepers side" She did
not look AT Norman. ''Or sit up here
If you wish. This oil will last all
night. There's an extra blanket right
behind you
Thanks. I'll read something"
DeIong picked up the government
report on lighthouses and. turning his
back TO the lamp. began to read Nor
man sat down YEARLY in Captain
Stockings big rocker and closed his
eyes.
Captain Stocking strobe through the
outer door in five minutes.
Turning in" he said shortly TO
Norman. Then he saw Delong. "Oh,
mister. there's bed fixed up for you"
I'D rather sit up, Captain"
BE your own skipper" Stocking
agreed "a good night to ye"
Norman limped out to do his inspec-
ton. Down on the plank walk he
stopped and felt the packet that was
lying like a lump against him. The
nights terrible business seemed an
old tale except for this. What would
he do with il?
Again be considered possibilities
He might tell the truth. He put that
thought away at once, as an ordeal
which would only stir up more trouble.
He could drop the bundle in the hall
And iced then answer his own share
in the hubbub of questions. Only one
thing was certain. He didn't want
anyone to catch him with ii In bis
pocket
Up the beach, perhaps two hundred
PAGES. his left foot lifted, head down.
arms at his sides, in the attitude of
man running, but carved out in mo-
tionless relief against the black sur
face of the water. Norman saw Ed
Baker. He heard Bakers feet slap
stop. Norman puzzled. and then, real
izing where Baker was going. laughed
aloud Baker would find a cold sur
prise, digging under that log for the
packet He went into the house
The stranger was not reading. He
sat by the brass parlor lamp, sucking
thoughtfully ar an unlighted pipe.
Here's a thing found up the
beach. Might this be yours?' Nor
man removed the packet from his uni
form coat This what you were want
ing?" be repeated.
The man made no answer at first.
His eyes were glued to the bundle.
Ii was a plain. businesslike envelope
of oilskin, fastened with red Irvine and
one rubber band. with the initials
81. D."
swell, I'll be hanged!" he said alb
ruptly. "Where'd you get it?'
Guess ii washed ashore" Norman
duSNeTtu, up lue Dedcu.
The other took it He examined the
red strings carefully and asked the
assistant keeper for knife Upon
the parlor table. after he had cut the
red strings. he poured out stream of
coarse, dry. beach sand.
Sand" he murmured.
he opened the envelope slowly.
More sand spilled out. He frowned
when he saw it The papers were
soggy but, the sand was dry. He
picked them up carefully, each by a
corner, and started to spread them
upon the polished surface OF the oak
table. One of them he examined close
ly. 1t had lain on top. Near its up
per edge there was the round. smudgy
mark of finger or thumb.
He turned swiftly.
You don't look like a liar" he
warned Norman Il should know one
when | see him. That's part of my
job. telling liars from honest men.
You didn't find this Just up the
beach Besides, it's been opened
Sure. ii has there's finger
mark of some kind, looks oily. And
the string was In hard knot didn't
have it tied that way had a bow
knot Somebody undid ii. and tied IL
up again This bundle was buried
after it rolled ashore Whyf'
81 don't know" Norman muttered.
You admit that ii was?" Delong
swung his big body about in his chair
and tipped the lamp shade so that the
light fell on Norman's face. This is
funny business" be said Would the
same person hide a thing one minute.
and the next dig it up and bring il
TO its owuer?"
The same person didn't"
oh" said Delong. He smiled
That's what ! .hought, Erickson.
Who buried it,"
at was dark.
"Who buried itF'
Il tel you. sir. il was too dark TO
see. | was walking, sir, trying 10
cool on - Norman paused He
felt belongs eyes burning into his
|-cwn- They were hard bur not unkind-
ly. He liked this man Il saw q fell
low stoop down and bury something"
he confessed. Il hid till till