The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-03-20
Chapter Eight LAMPERE'S PLOT

JUDITH LANE, slightly astonished , at the change Clia Sanford had evoked in her appearance with ruff les. peach powder and rouge. stared .nto the stateroom mirror and di- yested the fact that the girl who practically owned this yacht (Big Toms interest was merely paying maintenance bills) hoped to marry Norman Dale.
 And then her attention was rude y switched from her own personal ceilings to concern over her chief.
 "It happened his way" Clia set led into a deep chair and lighted a cigarette with a deliberation which Judith recognized as forerunner of something important.
 "Letty Garfield decided to take a post graduate course in matrimony and was sent over to the court house to check on her first mistake It was closing time. but slipped in and promised to latch the door when left. You know how those files are, don't you? If ever 1 want to commit murder I'll hide the victim in there and go free the rest of my days.
 "I was back of one tending to Lei tvs business when 1 heard voices peaked around and found that Nor tn Lampere and Judge Maritellan had shinnied in through the crack of the door and were doing a conf dential.
 They looked so guilty felt duty bound to find out what they were talking about. This was it. Lam pere was trying to force Maritellan tt get some frierd of his in Rio Mar county to issue an injunction against the sale of any additional dam prop erty to your boss"
 "Oh. :" Judith had forgotten Norman, the yacht. her lovely frock. She was the stenographer ready to act as medium between Big Tom and danger which threatened his dam.
 But, Clia, I'm sure he bought all tLat was necessary: bought the dam site from the State for delinquent taxes last winter. and the limitation date has already passed. so they cant question his ownership of thai.
 At the same time he bought all land deserted by the homeseeking owners. for delinquent taxes. in order to protect those very home. seekers. After the irrigation is available they may have their land back. providing they will live on 1t and cultivate it. by simply paying what Big Tom paid the State"
 Wouldn't Lampere know all of that?"
 "Of course -. I have It." Judith, who had sat down opposite her friend, arose. Its the new dam <. the upper one. Clia, trust you i'm. | plicitly or wouldn't think out loud | For some reason Lampere is trying to check Big Toms control of the upper flood basin .. remember sending a wire to the Company | Board telling of the new plans. Lampere read it t.. he was probably called to the board meeting.
 "DUT. Clia." she stood before hel
 O friend. "why should he fight the | firm retaining him?"
 You're asking me-" commented Clia. However. Jude. he didn't intend that Bevins should find ou he was behind the injunction. He threatened the judge with some kind of an expose if Big Tom learned of it through him"
 ''l don't understand why he's do ing this." unused Judith. "The dan is only hobby of MT. Bevins. O course it will niake money In time everything Big Tom touches doe! and for that reason he has complete support of our board o directors he's ready to build it with his owl cash, if there is any djssension Clia," she asked suddenly. "wh, should Lampere and the judge dis cuss such a thing in a public fl, room?"
 Afraid if they went to either of flee. some smart reporter like Cli; Sanford would see them and smel a political mouse ... you remembe my estimable news-sheet nearly pu both of them on the scandal spo after the last election"
 'I must get hold of Big Tom. H should know about Lamrere befor Le reaches Houston. Wait |. there someone It the door," | "Well. girls" Mrs. Dale stood | the doorway. Aren't you cominl up?"