Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-01-09
CHAPTER VIII

Ahc cVcuiu6 Hedl was Jolly one
Grimsteads high good humor carried
all temperamental differences before
It Even the taciturn Gardiner unben,
to tell an anecdote. Burton was In
the highest spirits. Also for she had
what che considered a very intriguing
secret, which she intended to keep for
the time being at least, In the hope OF
extracting from the situation still
further amusement In this she was
abetted by Larry Davenport himself
Now that that young man really un.
derstood the position In the social
structure he was supposed to Gil, he
played up and became the Perfeci
Garage Mechanic When this perform
ance drew Simmins' puzzled eye Lar.
rye happiness was complete.
After everybody had eaten all he
could, and praised the same all he was
able. the meal was at an end.
Now sighed Grlmstead comfort
ably, as he struggled to his thick legs.
1T you young people will excuse Us,
Ross and have little business to
talk over. Well wander down toward
the creek"
He lighted cigar and, followed by
Gardiner disappeared In the darkness.
Now" he demanded OF Gardiner.
once they we're settled on convenient
log. "How about til"
His benign good humor had failea
from him, and his whole being had
tautened into hard alertness.
ITS been running without a break,
and without apparent loss Of energy
at any time up to FIVE o'clock, when
I came In with Smmins to cook sup
per-"
Looks like good thing, then?"
1T looks like better than that just
on the showing It's already made
I'm almost beginning to believe
that cock-and-bul story about his hav-
Ing come eleven hundred miles with 1t
already"
Its not impossible. 1t would be no
more unprecedented than driving that
starter all day."
We'll, we certainly played In luck
hitting that stub. We've got to tie
this thing down before somebody else
gets hold OF It, wonder If anybody
has? He might be tied up already"
May be-" agreed Gardiner, "but
don't think so. This seems to be his
first test Of the thing"
well, we must tie him up" said
Grimstead.
He fell silent for SO long that Gar.
diner at length asked:
Going to buy him out, chief? You
could probably get 1t cheap, compare
lively"
NO" replied the older man. i've
been considering that In the first
place, don't believe he'd sell out. I've
been sizing him up pretty carefully,
and I'm pretty sure that direct offer
he'd want advice about, or want time
to consider. And, Ross, once he gets
out OF these redwoods and consults
somebody, it's all off Any fool can
see the possibilities. No, we've got to
cinch this thing here and now"
Eyes, you're right on that" agreed
Gardiner.
"But share in the business ID dit.
ferent-" went on Grimstead, per
haps royalty. | don't know: we'll
see how he rises to It,"
"You can probably make good bar
GAIN" agreed Gardiner once more.
HE apparently has no idea. Of the
possible value Of this thing"
Grimstead shrugged his shoulders
little impatiently.
Gardiner" said he, II sometimes
wonder little about you" rqs
what do you mean?" asked Gardi.
ner. startled at the tone.
"Your technical knowledge is be-
yond praise; but you've got the most
awful blind spots"
I'm sorry, chief, but what is 1t this
time" begged Gardiner, whose diplo
macy was no small part of his sue
cess.
II gather you think we could driv.
cheap bargain with this young mann
Gardiner considered his reply for
moment.
"Yes," he said finally, with convic
tion. 81 think we could-before he
gets talking with some one else"
rot course we could, but we won't
"Sir?"
II say we won't. I'll offer him the
very largest share l can, or the high
est royalties possible consistent wiih
control and good business. SeeNwhy?
Gardiner hesitated; then shook his
head.
"Well, either this Is a whopping BIZ
thing, or 1t is flivver. II It's fs
yer 1t doesn't matter II we give him
the whole works: 1t would be giving
him nothing. But suppose 1t turns
out to be world beaten and we've
made a sharp bargain Either he, OF
some one else, is going to buck Then
there's lawsuits and Infringement
without end. Ii, however, we have a
the very start. before the thing is
proved up at all, given him full