The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-11-26
BY EDWIN MULLER
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO

By EDWIN MULLER
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
Old Andermatten was studying those
squinted up the line of steps. I could
see what I hadn't noticed before,
grooves cut deep into the snow along
side the steps. That was where the
stones had come down-and Tierney's
body.
Herr Doctor" said Andermatten
and Laurent looked up quickly, did
you see your companion struck by the
DR.. Laurent hesitated for a second
or two.
Il didn't see him at that moment"
he said at last. He looked suddenly old
and haggard, as if the strength had
drained out of him. He must be close
to the edge of collapse from exhaus-
ton, I thought.
and did the other Herr" began
Andermatten, then seemed to change
his mind. Instead of finishing his
question he spoke to one of the other
guides. The two started up the Couloir,
cutting up to the steps that Laurent
had left, then following that line. They
mounted fast and presently had dis
appeared on the ledge above. I looked
at the other guides but got nc expla-
nation from them. DR.. Laurent seemed
to take no interest in why Andermatten
had gone up.
Soon the two reappeared above and
climbed quickly down to us.
I fancied that there was a subtle
change in A~ndermatten's name He
asked no more questions but gave
and arduous work of getting the body
down the rocks. For that I did not
wait.
The doctor must go down." I said
to Andermatten. HE has been through
more than a man can bear"
The guide chief gave him a look and
nodded. He detailed two of the guides
to go with us, and I took care that we
should rope up before we left the ledge.
AS we were starting Andermatten
addressed Dr.. Laurent, a certain note
of formality in his voice:
The Herr Doctor will go with me
tomorrow morning to report this &C
cident to the authorities of the
Canton?"
DR.. Laurent nodded listlessly.
When we reached the hut a little
before dark, Mrs. Laurent was waiting
for us. Her face was as drawn and
haggard as her husbands. Her eyes
searched his anxiously-almost fiercely.
Hes worn to the breaking point"
I said. "He must stay here tonight"
But you better go down to the
hotel" he said to her.
I felt that she was glad that he had
said that. glad that he would not be
coming down to Zermatt with her.
She started at once.
When I reached the village next
morning I found that I was requested
to attend that afternoon the. official
inquiry into the death of Herr Phillip
Tierney. I was surprised to learn that
the investigation had been taken over
by the Chef de Police, who had come
up the valley from Sierre for that
purpose.
The inquiry was ended in the salon
of the Monte Rosa, that somewhat
overpowering room where the likenesses
of departed mountaineers look down
on the red plush chairs and stiff lace
curtains of their contemporaries. APP
parently I was the last to arrive and
the door was shut behind me by. n
of the police present.
A table had been drawn across the
end of the room, back OF it sat M.
Chevrier, the Chef de Police. He was a
short, stocky man with a close-cnpped
moustache, a man OF quick Impatient
movements.
DR.. and Mrs. Laurent sat at oppo-
site ends of the couches along the wall:
He was staring at the floor, her head
was turned so I couldn't see 1t well.
Andermatten and n or two otner
g11ides were in the room, their stiff
hats held comfortably in their laps,
There we're several other people. Back
in a corner I saw the mountaineering
face of the hut keepers wife.
The inquiry opened with Andermat-
tens testimony, his relation of the
finding of the body. I listened eagerly,
waiting to hear what the old guide had
done when he climbed the Couloir. But
he didn't get to that:
1T then Observed" he was begin
ming, when the Chief interrupted:
Enough for the present. Herr DOC
DR.. Laurent's voice was we'll con-
trolled but without color or emphasis.
Mr.: Tierney and I reacned me top
of the Couloir. I was the first to de-
zone moment" broke in Chevrier.
You were on the rope?"
"No."
why not?".
Dr.. Laurent hesitated for a moment
ON the summit it had been MI.
Tierney's suggestion that we go down
unroped." .,
perceptible pause elapse. Then:
II descended first, cutting steps.
When I had gone 20 feet I saw that
Tierney had not yet begun to descend;
I went on down. A little lower I heard
a sound from above, a scraplng souno.
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