The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-05-10


1t was vast, rolling country, and
across 1t, from Hoot Owl toward Tin
cup, went teams. Five of them formed
a sort of procession, drawing logging
sleighs. Across the hunks planks haC
been placed and on the planks stood
and sat men; they were silent men
who drew on cold pipes, whose faces
were set and grim whose eyes betrayed
excitement. The Hoot Owl crew, this
following Tim LETTERS and Bird-Eye
Blaine to Lineup TO solve mystery.
In an orderly manner they left the
sleighs and stood in groups while
teamsters unhitched and led their
horses into livery barn.
| Able Armitage came hurrying and
he, alone, was welcome in that phalanS
Of intent men. Others Of the town
saw him gesticulate as he talked with
LETTERS and Blaine, saw him shake his
head and spread his hands as one will
who has no answer for a pressing
question.
Old Tim turned to the crews and
motioned them to him. The men gath.
cred close and listened while he spoke
briefly. Then the compact huddle
broke, letters emerged and started for
the main street, that body of shanty
boys falling in to move shoulder to
shoulder behind him.
1t was strange spectacle, for that
| peaceful Sunday morning! Doors were
| opened; men and women peered out.
Then they emerged and stood to watch.
| Now and then one hailed an acquaint-
ance in the marching company but
none replied to such greeting. Has
| tily caps and coats were donned and
along the sidewalks followed a grow
ing crowd of the curious.
The breath vapor of the men rose in
a cloud. No other spoke. Far down the
| street small boy yipped excitedly,
across the way two women were NUT
tering to one another, fiinging quick,
| excited questions, disclaiming knowl-
| edge for fitting responses.
They swung into the main street, old
Tim wallowing in the long drift at the
corner, his men trampling 1t down be-
hind him. On down past Able's Office,
past the pool room and then, without
word Of signal they halted. The
halt was before the bank, over which
Nicholas Brandon had his offices and
his living rooms.
The silence as they stood, every one
of the hundred faces appraised to those
windows with the lettering which pro-
claimed the tenant, was portentous.
And then Tim lifted his clear, strong
voice.
"Brandon!" he shouted. "Nick Bran
don't"
"Brandon!" Tim shouted again and
| his men stirred behind him, swayed,
| giving up low, short mutter.
"Come out, Nick !" teamster shout.
ed, voice thick with repressed excite.
ment. Gay, come out!" another cried.
Movement then, where they had
expected movement. Up above a face
appeared in window. Nicholas Bran
don looked down upon them. They
| could see his lips compress as he dis
cerned that crowd.
Souc uOWu, DTduuOu
This was Tim again, his voice edged
with sharpness, as he might speak to
a rebellious man of his crew.
Brandon moved and threw up the
sash.
what do you men want?" he de.
manded sharply, in the tone of one
who has been long accustomed to make
demands.
"We want Ben Elliott" LETTERS an
! swered.
Elliott? He isn't here. What would
he be doing here? What could know
of him?"
A mumbling, stirring behind Tim.
"We want him. We want you to
help us find him!"
You're On right !" "Tell us
| you skunk!" "Show him to us
or we'n wreck your whole blame
| town.
Tim held up a silencing hand against
this outbreak. Then he address Bran
| don.
"Elliott came to town last night. He
hasn't been seen since. His team
was found where he left 1t. There's
| only one man In town who'd have an
| object in getting him out of the way.
[ We've come to that man: to you,
Brandon. We want Elliott"
Brandon's lips writhed.
II tel you, know nothing" He
slammed down the sash and cut the
rest Of his sentence from their hearing
! so those men did not know that his
voice broke sharply as panic laid It's
hold on him.
He turned his back deliberately to
the window. Then, in frantic lunge
he reached the telephone and rang the
| bell.
"Give me the jaili" he said excited
~. "Quick! The Jail"
Outside growing, mounting roar
| sounded, like the voice Of an approach
| ing wind. Then came a sharp shout
a loud curse. Then quick silence again
| as Tim LETTERS reasserted his leader
| ship and demanded that they move
only as unit. But this order pre-
vailed for a brief moment
Smash In the door: It's locked n
someone cried. "Take him until be
| gives Ben upr