The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-01-17
CHAPTER XI-Continued
III
"Was II written in code?"

was III written I'D cOQe r
"No. You see, the hotel where
was putting up just then was, one
might say, over regulated Letters
written in code were not favorably
regarded there"
could you read a letter written In
his code?"
Il fancy l couru decipher it, with
a bit of study"
''Do they speak Spanish in Mexico?"
] questioned: ana was rewarded by
having all present look at he as if
they thought that I had just devel-
oped yearn'ng for cultural, geo.
graphical knowledge.
Il am getting at something" ex-
planned "Was this BauermOnt man
ever in Mexico?"
"Unfriendy persons" Canneziano
answered, .'insinuate that Mexico Is
his native land"
did anyone ever call him Mex
ico'?"
ITO his fury, yes. Is it relevant?"
Sam asked, "Where were you, do
sou know, at the time of the TonO
pah train robbery, three years ago|
81 was in Denver, since you insist"
This Stranger friend of yours told
the girls that -ou and he robbed that
train"
Canneziano's face went dark and
ugly. $50 the girls say, ugh?"
He told them that" John said.
There was threat enough in bis voice
TO make Canneziano come off his
perch.
"Is that possible?" he questioned.
but pleasantly enough. 81 can't see
his motive. If he had not included
himself in his confession to the girls
l would think that he mad some
friendly reason for preferring me In
captivity. 5. No, don't get it."
I'VE think he has denied it, since"
Sam said 1--WE think that the code
letter. which none OF us can read. is
his denial. No matter. Your story
tots up straight enough with the one
we have"
Gratifying, | am sure. wonder
whether | might see this code letter?
4 am rather clever with the things"
went upstairs to get it. am not
denying that ii gave me the creeps
TO go into Gaby's room. alone ar night
When | opened the door, and saw
that the light on the table was Lit,
and that someone was standing he
side it, all but jumped out of my
shoes.
Ii was Mrs. Kicker. She turned TO
me. and apOlogiZed, quietly, for hav-
ing startled me. 81 was looking at
these things" she went on. "They
know. They were there. If only one
of them could talk"
1 was so put out with her, for
startling me. and for being In Gaby's
room, anyway, pOking around-though
land knows she had right to be
there. and | might have done the
same thing myself. with my lists of
clews, and so on-that I just picked
up the letter, at the same time look
ing over the other things on the table
to be sure nothing was missing.
Perhaps" she said, 81 should not
have come in here? I suppose, when
the detective comes, he-she would
like to see the room as nearly as
possible undisturbed. Do you think
it would be good plan to lock it,
and to give the key to Sam. until she
does Gomez"
She went around with me, while ]
locked the doors on the inside We
went into the hall through Danny's
room. l locked that door after us.
She told me goodnight and went to
her own room. went downstairs,
and gave the key and the letter to
SAM
'Wise idea, Mary" ne said, when
told him thaC | had locked the rooms,
81 suppose Canneziano would tell
you, though, that locked doors do not
a prison make" He handed the let
ter to him.
Looks rather confusing, doesn't
ftp" Canneziano said, when he had un-
folded and Strengthened the pages
"What price deciphering it, Sam?"
"No price, to you" Sam answered.
tCLufhCu thC tCttCi W
its envelope and tossed il on the table.
"Fair enough" he said. my propo-
sition, cards on the table, is this: II
] beat Lynn Macdonald to 1t, discover
the murderer before she does, will
you pay me what you have agreed to
pay herr"
"Canneziano," Sam said, "get this.
Get it now. I'll pay sou not one red
cent for anything. Not one red cent"
Fair enough" Canneziano repeated.
"And my mistake. Undoubtedly.
should have w0rded II differently. Dor
instance What will you pay me
not TO discover the murder on the
Desert Moon ranch?'
a week ago, Sam would have got
ny and kicked him out through the