The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-03-26
CHAPTER VII-Continued
Another pause. Then, Yes r'-in

Another pause. Then, Yes PIN a
whisper.
Something unusual here.
And you figure I am in danger
now; and you figured the same way
this morning. Then the change is all
in you, Jim? In your your att
tude, I might say?"
Il guess that's gettin' clost to it."
Young scratched his head and took
q deep breath.
'It's a little deep for me-" he
laughed. 81 must confess 1 don't IN
derstand what could have happened
TO make you feel low about giving me
a warning you thought necessary for
my own good, and"
Amt it what a man thinks that
counts more than what he does?" In
Hinkle's voice was a sort Of passion
ate plea for understanding.
YES; I guess you're right"
"YOu see. Young" - grasping the
front Of Kerry's slicker- and looking
quietly about.-"I didn't want TO come
10 you today l knew you caught Tod
dealin' crooked, even if 1 didn't dare
let on TO him nd the rest. But 1 had
to make you think 1 didn't owe you
anythin'. That's what makes me feel
ike a skunk!'
"Oh, l see. E. Yes. see how it is.
So it was necessary for you to
make that play this morning. That
il, Jim?'
Almost reluctantly, the man said:
Yes: that's it"
I'D say that was a queer fix for
a man TO get himself into"
Il told you 1 wasn't any good"
"But you were wrong You are some
good; a lot of good, I'd say. If you
weren't you wouldn't be waiting for
me here tonight to try to fix up what
you've broker
well it amt nothin'. It's all
! can do"
Young shook his head. "No, you can
do quite a little more. You can tell
me, for instance. why you thought it
necessary TO believe what West said
instead of what your eyes told you"
He amounts to lot around here,
Tod West does"
"And you don't dare cross him?"
''Not much. =. God, Young, if you
only knew
I'm here; I'm ready to listen"
But / can't tell you! It's nothin'
that concerns you. It's nothin' you
know about"
He had started 10 back away. Kerry,
mind clicking smartly, realized that
here was perhaps an outside chance TO
learn more Of Tod West than he could
learn from any other source. He
pressed his advantage.
Its something that concerns you,
though, Jim. Its something that makes.
you well, that keeps you under
Vests thumb? That it?"
cor his heel" The mans voice
shook.
You've had a lot to think about to-
day. You've made an about-face and
have come clean with me on one de-
tail. Now wouldn't it be the smart
thing 10 carry right on? To put your
self in a position where you could
look any man in the eye and say what
you think and feel?"
Jim laughed harshly. "As if could
And what If 1 tried?"-desperately
what if l tried? You think 1 want
10 find myself locked up and"
His intentness had oyerridden his
best judgment.
go on, Jim. Locked up For what?e
The man was adamant, refused TO
talk, so gently, firmly, Kerry began
arguing, urging for confidence. play
ing on the fundamental decency in
Jim Hinkle's heart
81 can'tl l can't!" he burst out.
you don't know Tod Vest Why. to
get what he wants he'd as soon charge
an innocent man with murder as not
THERE I've said it!'
.'Murder?"
yves. mnrderI If I'd try TO get out
Of dom what he wants me TO do.
they'd have me in Jail like that