The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-09-01
CHAPTER X-Continued


although because of the glare of an
early March sun on the snow he could
not be sure.
On Monday morning he stood for
the second time in Paul GOrbels Office.
The man turned on him a face that
was lined now; hollows showed be-
meath eyes that roved a bit eyes that
had been so well controlled fort
night before so steady, so bland. But
they would not obey the remnant of
self-cOntrol that tried to direct the
light in them this day. Uneasy eyes,
they were, and the mans voice was
slightly husked.
"You sent word by Mac Saturday
night that you'd bought new team"
John said.
Eyes DeForest came in and offered
a bargain. thought I'd let you have
'em tried out"
"Welr'-dryly-"he just came in to
take 'em back"
80 soon? You you tried
them?"
zone tried me-"
II don't understand"
"a horse was loose in the barn when
l went in yesterday. He'd never been
properly tied up"
He spoke dispassionately and
watched for change in the face before
him: but Gorbel held steady now.
well / don't . l don't
get you. Did you send the team back
because the man was careless on a
detail?
Don't stall, Gorbeli" John cried,
and the other Strengthened as color
whipped into his face. Don't stall am
other syllable. I'm here because good
luck was with mer' ~
Gorbel showed back his chair.
whats the idea?" he asked thick
ly, rising. 81 don't like this, Belknap.
whatever it may be!'
mo, you don't like it ~ Rage, now,
mad young John; had his eyes and his
voice and his gestures. You tried to
frame me with man once, and with
horse next. You"
frame youl" His voice was a
snarl.
have known for years, likely,
about DeForest's outlaw black. If
you haven't, it's the one thing you
haven't known about this country
Shut up, now, and let me talk with
commanding gesture as Gorbel
swung around the corner of the desk.
81 found him loose in the barn. He
tried to get me and didn't. My team
sters all knew about him; every man.
jack of them knew that no sane man
would buy the horse.
81 called on DeForest. You'd
schooled him WELL Gorbel. You'd
probably schooIed Baxter well, too,
but | didn't bother trying to break him
DOWN.
"Man, you're crazyl DeForest? An
outlaw horse? Baxter? What the
devil are you driving at?'
The rigidity went from John Belk-
maps posture and he laughed help
lessly.
You're goodl" he said. you're
good, you toad Why don't you try to
fight like man? You've CUTS enough
to try murder, why don't you try it
In the open? Why won't you let"
Look here! I'm id if I'll let any
added kid talk to me like this! I'm
id if Murder? Fight? Some
body trying to harm you and you're
trying to hand the blame on me?
That it? Now why in the name of
heaven should want to harm you?"
quick warning flickered through
Johns anger. Reused as he was, Cor
bells craft had not deserted him. Pry-
ing, he was now, using the fertile field
of high rage when bars of caution are
down, TO discover what and how much
John Belknap knew. and the boy drove
back his temper and his contempt.
striving to match cunning with cum
ming.
II haven't the slightest idea" he
said. "Not an idea to my back But
you don't want me here; you're trying
to drive me out"
He thought shadow of relief ap-
peared in that face before him.
Gcrbel let out a short breath of
disgust.
"Drive you out !" he muttered, as
though such an idea were the depth
of absurdity. "Why, haven't even
remembered you were around the Job
q dozen times since you came inl But
If you're not drunk. you're insane and
there's room here for neither booze
fighters nor madmenI"
SIN fired. then?"
Fright now!"
John shrugged. 'Your privilege"
he said.
And you'll get out of the company
boarding house today"
ALSO your right"
"And out of Kampfest, toow
STEADY. neighbor !" Johns rage was
passing; he was noting the anxiety in
the others tone now. as of one who
presses rashly into welcome open
ing. Little too far. that I'm stay
ing in town. Gorbel Things have been
quiet in Shoestring since came here
That was my principal reason in COM
Ing. I'll be in Kampfest. watch
Ing my step. If you try me again /.
In person. please"
BE went out without another word
closing the door firmly and Paul Cor
bel, standing there. eyes on rhe door.
let a hand lift slowly to his chin
fingers fumhling with the flesh there
He stood SO for long interval