The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-07-15
CHAPTER IX-Continued

but what about Joe's test pitt"
''Oh, that's been logged over since
the day Joe left. We haven't even
been near it.
That's funny" Jeanne said
again, in a worried tone. Your
sure you haven't worked it at alls'
"Sure7 Of course I'm sure
But somebody's worked 1t,
Jeanne insisted. Il just came past
there
'Oh, you're wrong. Jeanne"
but I'm not. Somebody's been
working it,"
What for? There isn't chance
to get a dime out Of it. The thing
was only a test development.
Just the same
1T wasn't even anywhere near
the gravel level when Joe pulled
out"
II can't help that the girl in
sisted. Somebody's been working
there. | saw fresh dirt on the
dump. The logs have been moved
and somebody's been down the lad
der
Impossible"
1.-THE dirt on the dump isn't "a
hours Old
Mind going back there7" asked
Hammond abruptly. They talked
but little on the trail, there was
nothing to say, save Jeanne's re-
iterations of what she had seen.
At last, deep in the bush, they
sighted the mound of earth which
Mckenzie Joe had raised in his
efforts to find the lost river bed.
Hammond began to hurry, the girl
keeping pace with him. Finally
they were at tlfe pit.
Jeanne had reported truthfully.
The dump had grown considerably;
Jack reached forth a hand and
picked up some OF the soil, rubbing
it between his fingers.
They've gone down into another
strata" came at last, This isn't
the soil Mckenzie Joe was work
ing in" He looked about him.
Must work at might've never
seen anyone around here when |
went up the hill trail. Some way,
! always look over here too. Still,
I wouldn't notice unless they came
out into the open--all these trees"
'sOh, they've worked here. all
right. Look at these footprints. !"
Jack bent and, with a great
heave, threw back one OF the logs
which covered the mouth OF the
pit. He went to his knees, peering
downward. The faint light pene-
trated only a short distance. Ris-
ing, he threw aside the other COW
erings. Then with glance down
ward.
II guess I'd better take look
at the bottom. They've gone down a
long ways
Yes. see how they've built UP
the ladder"
Its nearly twice as long as II
was"
He swung over the side and clam
bered down the rough ladderway,
fashioned of barked spruce. For a
long time there was no sound from
below. Then the ladder bent again
with his weight.
"Jeanne!' he called from some
where in the depths. Take this
be careful with it,"
She bent over the edge, both
hands extended for the hat which
he handed up. 1t was filled with
yellow earth, mixed with gravel.
Then the man climbed out, his fea-
lures mixture of grimness and be-
wilderment. He said. bluntly.
"Give that to me. Let's get dowr
to the creek where I can find q
gold pan"
AT the stream Hammond worked
wordlessly, Jeanne watching over
his shoulder. Light was fading
there was barely sufficient to allow
them. to finish their experiment
autumn now had brought days as
short as the nights had been, dark
ness came by 4.30. Time after
time, the refuse content was flowec
away. Then, as both the water
and the residue became lower
Jeanne reached forward.
"Lookl' She picked something
from the bottom of the pan. i
was gold nugget twice as Large
as a pea. Further work brought
forth a dozen more. AT last Ham
mond stuffed them into a poke
and, disregarding the flakes anc
finer gold at the bottom OF the pan
washed its contents away IN ths
stream. He Strengthened.
well, Jeanne" came slowly, =
guess you're right. Mckenzie Joe
knew what he was doing, after all.
There was desperate quietnes'
to his tone; the world was swim
ming. This puzzling find could
mean many things.
Of only one was Jack certain
that he had signed away valuable
rights. He hoped that was all
this action was not beyond recall
it was the pounding of suspicion
that hurt, suspicion which coulc
point in only one direction.
Before I do or say anything,