The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-03-26
CHAPTER VIII

Now as Kerry Young walked on
alone through the fine rain, that men,
tai snarl which Jim Hinkle's confes-
sion had occasioned Strengthened out
into this simple fact:
If Jim had not a lawyer-proof alibi
TO absolve him from suspicion in the
Downer matter, then the whereabouts
of Tod West on that fateful night
were also open to speculation.
Hinkle was no killer. Despite the
mans misgivings of self, Kerry was
convinced that, drunk or sober, he
would will no serious harm to even
his worst enemy.
And last night, Ezra had said, the
first piece Of money from the Downer
loot had made its appearance; had
made its appearance in a poker game
in which Tod West sat cheating.
He stood still, digesting these SIM
pie but perhaps astounding implica-
tons.
If West had not played cribbage
with Hinkle, he might have been any,
where that November evening. If West
were in possession Of the money for
which Cash Downer had been muir
dered, that would be a fact to arouse
the official interest of a coroner's clerk,
for certain.
And, added to these, was this item :;
that Tod West had been going armed
for no one knew how long.
He walked on after that motion
less interval, recalling things that
Ezra had said last night. The old
physician had the bullet which had
slain Mans father. A thirty-eight, he
had said thirty-eight. And last
night he had held Vests automatic in
his own hand, had elected the loads
from ii. He had given no heed to
the size but, thinking back, the cart
ridges seemed TO be no larger, at
least, than thirty-eights.
Slow, yes. Vests suspicious of
Ezra's activity must not be aroused.
And another thing; it was as impor-
tant to locate that money, were ii
still in the country, as it was to pin
! the guilt of murder on the individual
who had taken Cash Downer's life.
If he could determine the caliber of
that pistol, for instance; if he could
get possession of il and send it and
the bullet to a crime-detection labora-
tory where ballistic experts could de.
| termine whether or not II was the
weapon which had done murder.
That, he knew, would not be conclu-
sive evidence But it would perhaps
| tell him whether or not his hatred for
West had been an unwarranted influ.
ence in rousing all these suspicious.
An idea occurred to him.
Leaving Tip to guard camp-he SET
off retracing the way he had just
come.
But even before he was crossing the
| trestle his rage began TO ebb. More
was at stake than his personal feel
| ings, he told himself. This man West
was no child. Perhaps he was a muir.
derer and a thief; if so, to recover
what he had stolen. to bring him &c
answer for the greatest of crimes
would necessitate slow and careful
movements.
Boats and canoes were beached or
a shelf of gravel below the Landing
Kerry made his way there and stood
listening. The buildings of the lit
tie town were dark, now.
Above, doomed the small depot
across the way from it was Vests
house West might be there now, but
no lights showed in the windows.
He would wait
1t was not long before his ears de
tected the sound of a cautiously WELD
ed paddle. and he stopped behind some
bushes for complete concealment
prov grated: foot splashed In water
man grunted as he lifted a canoe
/ Young could see, but remain unseen
He saw that large bulk of man de
post the canoe carefully. bottom up
then turn abruptly and make his way
up the bank
Kerry did not follow at once. And
when he did slip noiselessly TO the de
pot and around the corner he was re
warded by a glow of lights in win
i dows across the way.
He crossed the street, melting into
the shadows about the house. taking
up a position ar one corner where BIZ
! could peer through a window.