The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-21

couldn't do any harm in spite of his threats.
 But now - Rex had discovered that the deed was a fake.
 He glanced up quickly as his desk phone rang. Automatically taking up the receiver, he heard the operator say, 'Will you please go into MT. Harrison's ofice at once?"
 Rex rose from his desk, and walked along the corridor. Bert Harrison was the head of the local office.
 I've just heard from Draffen that there's Q stranger staying with Hoskeer. Do you know any, thing about that?"
 "No, it's news to me-"
 "He says he thinks this man has some interest in the Rancho An gelo maybe abetting Hoskeer. How does the property stand?"
 Rex cleared his throat.
 Harrison laughed cynically. "IIl say it for you-Travers simply seized that property by fraud. But we've got to have it. Have you any sug- gestions as to what we should do? Have you ever heard whether or not Everett left any heirs2"
 q don't know, but if he did they'd be in the east, I'd say"
 That's so. Well, you better call up the New York office. Have them put an advertisement in the classified columns = a blind ad- for we don't want anyone to know about the Travers connection - and see what that brings. Mean time keep your eyes and ears open. Maybe you'd better take a run up to the ranch and see if you can find out anything more from Draffen - or even the strang- er." With quick nod Harrison dismissed him.
 Out in the open, riding toward the Rancho Angelo, Rex felt his spirits rising. Looking around, he marveled at the fantastic beauty of the county, so different from New York, and yet possessing 8 grandeur that had something in common with the towering gray buildings of the metropolis.
 A chorus of barking dogs greeted his arrival, and 8 moment later Draffen appeared. You're just in time for chow, if you'd like to eat with us. You know Jed, and this is the fellow who had nasty spill. Guess ain't ever heard your name stranger"
 "Oh, it ain't of much account, I reckon. Just call me Mark" Chapman smiled in a friendly sort of way.
 How dye do," said Rex. "I guess I'm hungrier than I thought. If it won't be too much trouble I'd like to have dinner with you"
 That's fine" Draffen stepped into the kitchen again while old Hoskeer led the horse to the stable.
 Over the simple meal the men talked casually about the weather, politics, and some of the local happenings. Rex felt he was get ting nowhere, so at last he turned to the stranger. "Are you think ing of settling here?" he ques- tioned.
 Mark spoke slowly, q don't know. Guess If I hadn't had that accident I'd be a long way from here by this time. Still it seems real pleasant around here. I might stay for a bit if I could make some arrangements about living quar- ters." You're welcome to stay with me as long as you like, if you can stand the poor accommodat ations," said Jed, helping himself to an- other slab of pie.
 You don't need to call them poor. I've been in lots of queer , places in my travels" Mark began to tell them about some of his experiences.
 The smoke from their pipes filled the room with a pleasant aroma, while the talk and laughter banished the silence that fingered SO often in the old ranch house. Rex rose. I've got to get back to t1wn. Guess I'd better be pushing along. If you're in town any day be sure to come and see me-" he said to Mark.
 Draffen walked with him to the door while Jed hurried on to put | the saddle on his horse. As the two men followed him to the | stable Rex said, "What dye know | about Mark?"
 "Nothingl Seems like an inter- eSting sort C. chap, pays his way. l thought at first maybe he had | his eye on the ranch-found him along some of the trails guess I was mistaken" He shrugged his shoulders.
 That's all right then, but if you see anything out of the way, let us know at once. We don't want strangers snooping around. Be- sides, you never can tell what they might be after. or who they might be snooping for"
 Sure, but I guess he's 6 harm less sort. He's knocked around the world for years and don't be- lieve he'd want to settle down in 3 place like this," Draffen added as Jed appeared with Rex's horse.
 
 Loping along the homeward trail, Rex thought of the stranger he had Just met. Who was he, anyway? Why hadn't he told them his last name? Oh, well, 1t was nothing to get excited about Arizona wasn't Boston. Strangers came and went, accepting a nights hospitality or a meal as the case might be. No one z rsa;'sy soSs $H x; s::s... ss i,