The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-04-23

the floor. Now!"
He reached for an ak leaning against
the wall, inserted the bit in a crack
between boards and pried carefully.
"Ahw The nails gave readily.
Careful of these boards now. They
may be evidence. Here we go!'
He began scooping earth that came
out in chunks and Jumps. some of which
crumbled to dust in the handling. Then
his busy hands suddenly touched metal.
Ezra. STOPPING far over. breathed
quickly. With care Young worked his
| fingers beneath the object, lifted, and
out it came, a dirt covered, fiat box of
| japanned metal.
"Cash's box" the physician NUT
tered; and :"
His voice trailed off in suspense as
Kerry tugged at the catch of the cover.
Was the money which would forever
put Nan Downer beyond the reach of
Tod West there? Was emancipation
for this girl -.
The catch gave; the cover opened
and Ezra's low moan joined the sound
| OI a swiftly Sdis
"Only that!' he said fatty.
three of 'em," muttered Kerry.
Three hundred-dollar bills!"
"And the rest of it gone beyond
"Not for sure! This is a plant, re-
member. He'd put only enough here
to pin the thing on Holt. Yes
scrutinizing the bills-"they're the
proper numbers. The rest, Ezra, is
cached somewhere yet!
"And here they GOMEZ"
| The car swung into the clearing, Its
motor died and voice said sharply:
what tn hell"
Other voices sounded, subdued. Then
they heard the words: "Ezra's bus
-. :"
"What'T we do nowT' the old man
whispered.
"Stand patti" Kerry muttered, closing
the box; closing it and Tipping the
cover up again quickly to stare at the
inside surface, black and glossy, Its
lacquer still bright. A curious smile
Of triumph was in his eyes as he
raised his face.
"Ezra, this Is your investigation
Don't let 'em get their hands on a piece
| of this evidence because"
1t was Nat Bridger, swinging through
the door.
what comes off here" he demand
ed and stopped, poised just within the
room, frowning. "Oh ;. You, Ezra =
His ready hand dropped from the
hip. You're here, eh?"
"Yes," the coroner said, showing ur
his spectacles. Eyes, Nat. Good af
ternoon! Howdy, Butch, "-as the dep
uty appeared.
Bridger turned to his subordinate
and then looked past him at Tod West
who approached slowly as if, perhaps
he were not just sure of how to con
duct himself.
swell, this is a SURPRISE" the sheriff
growled. How come you're here
Ezra?"
Official business, Nat. 1 got a tiI
| somethin' of interest to the coroner Of
this county in this camp. ND guess
mebby, the tip wasn't so far wrong"
At that point Tod West showed him
self in the doorway. He halted there
and his eyes rested an instant on the
old physician. Then, as if he forced
himself to an ordeal, they swung t.
Kerry. But if he expected TO fine
challenge or accusation On Young:
face he was wrong.
"They heard it too, Tod" sale
| Bridger and in his voice was an appea
for guidance, perhaps.
But Vests mind was not simple. Ii,
was thinking things, many things, try
ing, in his swift reasoning, to en-
compass all the elements possible t,
this situation.
Frank probably peddled his story
West said.
Bridger now moved closer to Youns
and his deputy followed.
$50 that's where he had it cached
eh?"-stopping and peering down a
the hole. Lets see the box. Young.
Kerry pivoted on one foot, snugglin.
the box against his side. swinging i
away from the outstretched hand.
mot just yet, sheriff." he said.
Bridger gawped.
mot just Say,"-straighteni
and whirling on Ezra-"just wha
comes off here?"
The coroner's face showed bewilder
ment.
Kerry spoke quietly:
whats coming off, .Bridger, is cor
oner's Investigation"
"Well,"-harshly- a sheriff's In
vestigation, now. Give me that box 7
Young rose, then.
mo, Bridger. When the coroner ha.
finished, then it'll be time for your
"Who the hell are you to be buttin
into murder case?"
Kerry shrugged.
"Im only deputy coroner" he said
Deputy cor Since whenr'
Ezra grabbed the cue.
"For a couple Of weeks now. Nat
appointed Young as my deputy so'
to have another pair of eyes and ear
In this country"
The sheriff scratched his head ant
grunted. Tod West took a step or tw,
which put him close to the table ant
leaned against 1t, watching, listening
A tin cup was there; he picked 1
up and twirled It In his hands. Hi
heart was pelting his ribs, now. but 1
was no moment to make a move, t,
say a word. Things had been hap
pening of which he had been ignorant
His play was to learn as much as pos
sible.
well, even so," began Bridger ant
scratched his head again. He hazard
ed course:
But you had your inquest; you 90
nowhere. Now. seems to me, we got /,
hot lead on this case. / guess it's NJ
to my office to go through with 1t ant
/ make the pinch We've got to have