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

law.
No need Of this. Bridger knew that
much, but on the rebuff he flushed
holly. Before he could speak, how
ever, Young went on:
There's nothing about what we've
found to cover up. In this box are
just three hundred dollars in three
bills. The serial numbers correspond
to those Cash drew from the bank the
day he was killed.
There may be other items here
which will figure quite largely in the
case, though"
That, he knew, was bad judgment.
He knew 1t before the words were
out of his mouth, before West dropped
the tin cup. He did drop it and it
rolled across the floor.
"Just what d'you mean?" Nat de-
manded.
"We don't know yet. We've just
made a start. Now, you're at liberty
to do any investigating you want to
just so long as you don't mess things
up for US.
"Our plan," he concluded. "was to
take this stuff In and go over the evil
dence taken at the inquest"
"But what about Stuart?"
"Well, you answer that. What about
him?"
my God, amt you goin' to make a
pinch?"
Kerry debated. Have Holt Stuart
dragged off to the Shoestring Jail be-
fore Mans eyes? Have him lodged
there, even for no more than few
hours, perhaps, charged with her ia
theirs murder?
do you think that's smart?" he
asked in a conciliatory tone, sparring
for time. $50 far as we know, there's
not great deal against him yet. And
if we keep quiet until tomorrow ;. .
who knows what'll develop?"
Bridger saw his chance of making an
immediate and impressive arrest fad
ing.
I'm not so damn sure, Young.
Throw 'em in the can first md inves-
tigate afterward, / say! If he"
But you might spill the whole plat
ter of beans. Don't you think, Ezra,
it would be wiser to hold back?"
II certainly do! I'm not going off
half cooked on this case, Nat. l want
a chance to SIC down and add up what
we've got now"
Kerry nodded once, encouragingly
and looked covertly at Tod West, who
was retrieving the tin cup, twirling II
with apparent casualness in his fin.
gers again. The hands, however, were
trembling.
"What d'you think, Tod?' Nat asked
why, that's up to you. Me, I'd take
Stuart if you've got anything on him.
First, though, I'd look this layout over
pretty careful"
And Ezra and l." said Young, wed
probably better be heading for town.
II think so, too" said the old man.
but his eyes were mystitied; he was
following his deputy's lead.
Better bring along those boards,
Young suggested. We've got that tire
to change"
They went outside, then, leaving the
other three within, and Kerry put the
box carefully on the seat cushion.
STALL" he whispered. LET 'em clear
out J"
He looked at his right hand and
rubbed his finger tips together. He
touched again a smear of sticky dirt
on the edge of the box and then bus
led himself with jack and whee
wrench.
For 20 minutes he stalled for time
in the changing of that tire.
In the beginning a low and hurried
muttering came from the cabin ant
| then Nat spoke freely.
"All right. Butch. Let's measure
this thing off, now, SOS we en- tel
a jury all about it when the time
| comes"
Sounds of pacings from the interior
of the cabin, observations, argument
Then, consciously intent, the sheriff
and his deputy searched the entry and
the cabins surroundings for what they
might find
Tod West remained leaning agains
the table until they came out; ther
he followed them with fine show OF
impersonal interest.
well, mebby you're right" Bridgel
said finally, approaching Ezra ant
Young. "But / got a duty. 1 won't
wait too long. I'll drive to town ant
come to your Office tonight. I'm leavin
Butch at tn Landin'. If he should gel
away :. it's be just plain hell"
They drove off and when they were
gone from sight Kerry dropped his
wrench.
"Give me those boards!" he said ex
cItedly. Here. Come on, Ezra
Let's see what he used to pry 'em uI
within
He went directly to the cache Of
tools beside the doorway, cycling ths
| implements one by one. -.
Its betI" he muttered and duckei
inside and came out with a newspaper
in his hands.
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