The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-04-28
CHAPTER V-Continued

81 know you're not, dear Uncle Bill.
You're a perfectly good old sport |
have just had long telegram from
my lawyer in Los Algodones Texas.
He informs me that the affairs of
Uncle Toms estate are in excellent
shape and that he died leaving even
more sheep than was at first suspect
ed. There are about ten thousand
lambs that will soon be ready for mar
ket and which should bring ten dollars
a head and there are upwards of a
hundred thousand pounds o, excellent
wool worth thirty cents a pound
Why, it would seem that Uncle Toms
estate will run close to half million
dollars. We should worry and grow
wrinkles and gray hair, darling"
The butler announced dinner-and
between the fish and the roast, as per
agreement, Glenn Hackett COM
menced to question Crooked Bill ad-
rOitly as to the exact nature of his
operations in the market. Roberta
noted a grim little smile playing across
Hackett's Puritanical face from time
to time, so presently, with her Gus
tomary impulsiveness, she asked him
to share the joke with them.
Its on your Uncle Bill" he replied.
sit is my duty to inform you, Bobby,
that your Uncle Bill is an antedilu-
Wan idiot who can: see the woods for
the trees. If he could he'd see path
out of this mess he's ina path as
wide as the boardwalk at Atlantic
City. Let US eat, drink and be merry.
for tomorrow Uncle Bill will no longer
be a financial corpse. He will have
commenced his resurrection"
How are you going to save Uncle
Bill?" Roberta demanded.
Hackett proceeded to outline to her,
patiently and in words of one syllable,
his plan for the salvation of Crooked
Bill.
81 understand perfectly, Glenn" Ro-
berta said when at last he finished.
you're wonderful, wonderful
friend"
1.-THE plan is vetoed" Crooked Bill
declared virtuously. Friendship will
bear up under anything except the
Endorsement of notes or the swift
heavy touch"
"But, Uncle Bill"
Uncle Bill raised his leonine head
and his cold steel-gray eyes fiickered
murderous lights at her. "There will
be no further discussion OF this un-
pleasant subject" he Informed her
coldly.
When Crooked Bill looked and spoke
In that tone of voice, Roberta knew
from experience that obedience was in
cumbent upon her. Her eyes filled
with tears; in a tremulous voice she
begged to be excused and withdrew.
Crooked Bills wild eyebrows went
up as the girl left the room. shes
as big crook as am" he declared
proudly. "She isn't at all distressed
She's just pulling the old stuff-not
on me this time, but on you, my boy. She
expects you to follow her out and com
fort her. Do not disappoint her. For
wardl"
Are you quite certain she wouldn't
prefer to be left alone, Mr.. Latham?
She's all upset"
"Listen to me, son. l know my
onions. The girls play-acting. YAM
osev'
Glenn Hackett "vamosed." Within
five minutes he returned with Roberta
on his arm.
Hunt" Crooked Bill reflected
"And she spent at least a minute
making up her facet Four minutes to
put over her loving plot against me-
The little crook !" He beamed upon
her. I'm so sorry spoke GROSSLY to
my little girl" he announced with
hypocritical JUNCTION.
Bobby kissed him fondly and gave
him a little hug.
Crooked Bill was not one to gum
up his own finely laid plans, and
presently, with a full realization of
the truth of the old adage that three
is crowd, he withdrew to his room,
leaving Glenn Hackett to make what
progress he could with the rebellious
Roberta.
But Crooked Bill did not retire. He
smoked until ten O'Clock, at which
hour he knew Glenn Hackett, a crea-
ture of habit. would depart for the
city. So Crooked Bill went down the
back stairs, crossed the lawn and
waited for Hackett at the entrance to
Hillcrest.. did it work." he de-
manded.
Overtime" Hackett responded.
"Was she nice to you after l left?"
"Well-er-ah-Plat
"Agghr' Crooked Bill growled deep
In his throat, like an aged tiger. go
home, you jellyfish. You'd be a bach
elor in the South Sea islands-and on
an island where they practice polyan-
dryi"
Thoroughly disguised he returned
to the house. He had a presentiment
that Fate was. in manner of speak
ing, stacking the cards against him.
Next morning Crooked Bill caught
an early train to the city. explaining
that the sooner he swept up the frag
ments of his scattered fortunes the
better for all concerned.
Roberta motored in little later
and went at once to Glenn Hackett's
Office where he prepared and she
signed a formal assignment of all of
her right. title and interest In and
to her Uncle Toms estate to Hackett.
for and In consideration of certain