Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-04-05
CHAPTER xI

a MAD day for Paul Gorbel was
"a drawing TO Its close. with light
snow falling outside.
He had changed to woods cloth
Ing at noon. intending to drive TO
one of the camps. But fear held
him In town. that fear which grew
with the hours.
A cruiser came In. dropping his
pack In the hallway. He had been
to the northward for a fortnight,
and Gorbel appeared to listen
while the man made a brief report
Of his activity and his findings.
Didn't expect you back so soon,"
Paul said.
"Nor would I've made II but for
fndin' old man Richards cabin
empty. Run on to him headed east
with his outfit after wolves that
are raIding the Caribou deer yard.
| knew he'd camp over there until
he'd got the wolves or used up all
his tricks, so | moved my stuff
down into his camp. 1t was closer
to those descriptions, you see.
didn't have to spend most of my
time goin' from camp to timber"
The mill whistle blew then; In
the back office chairs scraped and
feet sounded.
Another day." Gorbel said.
Come In to morrow and well go
over this matter again"
The woodsman left
Soon afterward a team pulled to
q halt before the office, and the big
man on the seat of the light sleigh
kicked robes from about his feet
and rose. Inside Gorbel strained
forward, tense, waiting.
Knuckles fell on the panel. Cor
bel wet his lips.
Come inF' he said u~nsteadily.
The knob turned and Nat Brad
shaw's big hulk showed In the
gloom.
"Ohl" he said. "You, Gorbel?"
"Hullol" Gorbel said, fighting
for his self-control "Hullo, Nat !
Just leaving. ;"
The sheriff did not advance, but
stood there, Saying nothing, sliding
his hands into his pants pockets,
feet spread, back against that
door an ominous ~blockading
figure.
Then I'm just In time" he said
dryly. "Tve come for you, Cor
bel I"
"Me?"
yeah. You finally r"-the
word fell heavily.
No fancied corner nowi No trap
made up of the fabrics of guilt
lmaginings was closing on Paul Cor
bel. This was real
"Why why, what the devil
are you driving att" he demanded,
rallying a show of buster.
Turn ON yonr light and I'll read
why"
Light Light, with the sheriff
standing there against the door, sus-
piclous, ready for any emergency
They're burned out he lied
fuse blew just before you drove
up. What do you mean you'll
read why?"
I've got a warrant for you, Cor
BEL" the sheriff said slowly. "It's
for arson" He paused.
larson |" Gorbel's voice cracked.
yeah. Amt a pleasant word. is
It'll Amt q pleasant crime, neither,
Bad as murder, Gorbel. You over
stepped yourself In your story. The
university says the lad you put In
the way Of bein' killed hadn't been
drinking for long. Put on
your hat and coat we've got a drive
to make"
Look here, Natl Why
there's some mistakel There's some
devilish mistake behind thisi Ar
SOM ... Good Cd. Nat, you
don't"
Bitterness was rising In the sher-
IFS heart, a contempt that must be
voiced.
u don't aim to visit with you.
rye got you cold, Gorbell For O
long time you've fooled Us all. but
that's over now. I'm glad I'm sher,
iff of this county to take back to
my Jail a firebug, a skunk !"
Lights danced before Paul Cor.
bells eyes, though there were nc
lights. A roaring sounded In his
ears. The mountain of doom was
moving towards him, to overwhelm
him, to blot him out to mash bis
cupidity. his loves, his ambitions
He turned as II to tear open O
window and jump. and a great hand
caught his arm.
mo you don'ti II | have to III
The mar shrank In the sheriff
clutch, tried to tear away. He made