Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1935-12-26
CHAPTER I-continued

Inc girl stopped III CHe eHtrduCe "
peer around the cubbyhole kitchen, her
scarlet-smeared lips curled with dis
gust. Though soap-clean, everything
In the place looked crude. The air
was choky from the smell of cheap
bacon.
Huxby sprang up to place the chair
at the near end of the table. He lifted
the boiling teapot from the stove and
started to fill tin cup with the black
brew.
pardon our not waiting, Lilith," he
apologized. II did not wish to waken
you with the refueling. Planned to do
1t while you breakfasted."
"Quite thoughtful of you, darling.
But you need not think I'll drink this
lye'or eat any of these beastly messes.
Not for me. You can have your steer
age garbage I'll keep to cabin fare"
She faced about and went back
through the passage. Huxby stood
hesitating. Mr.. Ramill motioned him
to sit down.
you stocked the cabin with enough
wines and delicatessen to last several
days. Finish your meal"
The mining engineer shot a glance
at Garth. 1--WE had enough oats to
founder a Scotch COW. May as well
see to the refueling."
Tobin rose stiffly and followed lux
by into the storeroom. Mr.. Ramill took
a last sip of the boiled tea, favored
Garth with patronizing smile, and
opened his gold-mounted cigar case to
offer one of the choice Havanas.
Garth declined. II never smoke. 1t
deadens the nose."
Deadens-What's thar?"
Though man has the sense of smell,
compared with dogs he lacks the abil-
ity to scent. Yet even a trace Of it
may be of use in the BUSH"
The investors portly body quivered
to his chucSle. 'I've1heard of nosing
out prospectsl First time, though, it's
been done to my knowledge" He
caught himself up. "At least, Mr..
Huxby considers it possible your dis
covery may be worth an examination.
That leaves only the question of terms,
in case we find the mine promising
enough for me to make an offer"
Garth spared an fnqufring glance.
The portly gentleman gave him a
bland smile.
II believe in encouraging prospectors.
They find new districts. With that in |
view, I buy numbers Of undeveloped |
taking the risk of heavy |
losses. Though 1 drop thousands on
some mines, l have made a fortune
from others. But the average pros
pector, like yourself, stakes his all.
times in hundred, he is
cleaned out by total failure. If your
lode looks at all possible, I'll pay you
up to a thousand dollars cash for It,"
''1m not selling" Garth said. II like
to play game through to the end,
win or lose"
The investors eyes hardened. whats
your idea?"
zone years lease, and sixty per
cent of the gross returns to me-"
Mr.. Ramill blinked. "Sixty per cent
Of gross! You're crazy"
Like fox. Same kind Of nose"
1t was Garth's turn to smile. "Not so
keen, though, for galena. Better for
seeming out alloys of gold iridium
and-platinum."
The last word knocked the benevo-
lent encourager of prospectors speech
less. Yet after a moment of blank
staring, he managed a Multiplying
look.
"Daft!" he muttered ''That must
be it. These prospectors, alone in the
wilds for months at a timer He
raised his voice. TOO bad, young man.
If you'd make it gold and silver, l
might have been able to swallow the
bait. But platinum That's bit too
thick. Platinum is found in quantity
only in Russia. Very little anywhere
else. Only minute quantity in North
America"
He rose as if to go. Garth gave him
regretful look.
"Yes-too bad, sir. Now I'll have
to go outside. l may even have to
wait until the ice goes out next year
before 1 can dupe a gull into taking
that lease
Mr.. Ramill left the kitchen without
seeming to heed this plant. When
Garth followed him into the storeroom,
he was quieting some dispute between
Huxby and Tobin. The visitors put
on their headnets and walked down to
the wharf.
Garth went into the bunkroom. Be-
fore long Tobin came to open the door
handbreadth. He chuckled.
"Uh-lad, you got your hook in their
gills. Pilots tinkering with the motor.
Changed the oil, but no move to re-
fuel. Amt rushin to flop off,
Garth kept on lathering his beard.