The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-25

had q better look nj the driver
Of the car rs II passed him.
He was stu debating the prob.
lem rs he rolled into his bunk,
He'd ask Monnie In the morning,
He wasn't even certain that Mon
MES car had been at the landing
field. He had no proof that Bent
Icy was there either. Perhaps the
bank bandit that Bill fellow
was using Bentley's field without
the owners knowledge. Bill knew
someone with plane, had used
II In his getaway after taking
LarryB car.
Before he could make any re-
port TO Harris, before he could be
sure he was on the right track,
Larry knew he must have proof
evidence that would stand up In
court, Getting II wouldn't be easy,
Nor particularly healthy, II the
gang got wise 10 him. There were
ways OF getting rid OF an overly
inquisitive cowhand Accidents
could happen.
Hugh had taken that chance
and lost, Larry would have 10
take his own risks.
Barnes let him sleep late the next
morning, II was Sunday, and there
was no work 10 be done. Shortly
before noon Larry saw Monnie come
from the house, 90 70 her car, He
hailed her.
sorry I rushed away last
night" no began, awkwardly, II
guess acted pretty much like n
fool"
Monnie laughed lightly. II was
the fool, Larry, Forget IT, BE see
Ing you" She started away. He
caught her arm, fell into stride
beside her.
"Im not sorry n happened,
though" Larry went on And
when"
She stopped faced him. He no.
ticcd there were circles under her
eyes, She had been awake half
the night,
Listen, Larry. You almost
kissed me. 50 what2 I'm GLAD
you didn't. 30 are you. Now for.
get II ever happened, ! have .,
Now I'm In a hurry Mike Just
called"
"You didn't see him last night7"
Larry fred the question OF her.
"of course notl But II ] did,
what business Is II OF yours9" she
answered, temper fiaring.
II Just wondered" no explained
lamely, Watching her 30 on 10 her
car. Then he ran after her, leaned
on the door a5 she started the
motor,
but your light was on -- the
light In your room, until after B.
I saw H."
Mister Collins" her voice
snapped--"I fell asleep reading,
The light was on until this morn
Ing. II isn't the FIRST time II has
happened, nor the last. Now II
you've completed your eross.ques-
tioning, I'd like 10 90 on, am In n
hurry"
Larry spent the remainder Of the
day apparently walking aimlessly
around, actually searching for what
no knew he must find. About o mile
from the house, In the shelter OF q
little draw, he made his discovery
A man had waited here waited
several hours. Numerous matches
and haif.smoked cigaret told
Larry that. There had been two
horAeR. too He found marks
where two saddles had been
dumped on the ground, or OF least
he thought he did.
That would explain the theft OF
Monnie1s car. Two horsemen had
come from Bentley'S. While one
had crept up TO the garage, taken
the car without disturbing anyone,
the other had remained hidden.
II the theft had been discovered,
the watcher would have warned
his pal. Monnie's car would have
been found miles away.
When the car was returned, the
man with the horses had covered
the Others escape. And everyone
at the Hayhook had slept peace
fully through the whole night
II suddenly occurred TO Larry
that he might have been seen com.
ing from the canyon gate, In that
case, he would be wise 10 be more
careful In the future.
And Monnie would have TO keep
her car locked. II she refused he
could take the keys, return them
each morning. He'd tell Barnes
that he had seen some tough
looking hombres on the place, sug-
gets that everything At the ranch
be locked at night,
He mentioned II 10 Barnes that
night. Found some trucks tracks
along the railroad fence today,
Pete. That bunch OF calves would
make nice pickings for bunch
Of truck rustlers."
They sure would" Barnes
agreed. Have trouble with them
every year. Lost 20 calves one
gnfinU "