The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-01
Bentley Explains a Murder

was over. No one will bother
much about . dead cattle thief
either"
There are a few who might be
interested" Larry suggested
They might even start invests
eating when I don't come back,
Ever think about that9"
let EN- investigate all they
want 10, they won't ind a thing"
Bentley was aggravatingly conf
dent Might slow things up for a
hit-cancel few deliveries, but
nothing more than that. You're
not so important as all that, Col
Inns"
You must have II pretty well
worked out"
II always have things pretty
well worked out" That's why I
never fail, Here's what's going 10
happen 10 you - at least, this Is
what everyone will think hap
pened to you,
I'm n couple Of hours, you're go
ing to knock me out, while I SIT
here talking 10 YOU"
I'm enjoy that part Of H." Lar
ry interrupted,
That's only In the story, you
don't actually have the pleasure
OF smuggling me. One Of the boys
will take care OF II You take
my gun. throw down on the boys
and get away, Just outside you
find my car you Jump In II,
race TO town. You'll meet the
sheriff at Dead Mans Curve
II he drives too fast you may take
him into the canyon with you . , p.
I won't mind The car catches
FIRE You shoot yourself -
with my gun. OF course rather
than burn to death or be taken TO
prison. You'll make few head
lines, but we probably won't both
er TO hold much OF an inquest"
Just like Hugh" Larry COM
mented, "Arent you afraid some
one will start thinking these ae-
cidents on the curve are occurring
too frcquentlyp"
what II someone doeSp Wha,
can he proYe2 The sheriff will be
the only witness. This setup is
perfect, II worked for your bro
ther TIN do for you"
Bfll and two more OF Bentlcys
men came for Larry about $50
They tied his hands behind him
then hustled him upstairs and out
into Bentley's car He was pushed
into the front seat beside the
rancher, He noticed man riding
a horse down the highway, leading
a second saddled horse.
"He goes down into the canyon
10 FIRE the shot when you kill
yourself" Bentley explained, He'll
stay close 10 the curve, but we'll out
Of your way, From the highway II
sounds like the shot comes from the
burning car"
Larry was silent, He watched
another man put gasoline can In
Bentley's car, Bill climbed In the
back, fondling machine gun.
Bentley drove out 10 the highway,
A second car followed,
Mice car you've got here,
Larry said. Don't you mind los
ing itp"
Bentley was amused. TITS in
sured, I'll need new one any
way. when Monnie and I get mar
ried, You knew we were going 10
be married, didn't your Monnie
set the day, September 10, this
afternoon, She went on In TO town
TO talk 10 her bridesmaids. Too
bad, Collins, You should have
stayed In New York"
Larry did not answer After
this afternoon, nothing surprised
him, He didn't mind Monnie be-
lieving he was a thief, she might
have been angry, but TO tell Bent
ley about Hugh, That was more
than he could stand, He had
trusted her loved her,
The car stopped, but Bentley
left the motor running. Larry
saw the curve hundred yards
beyond, Bentley got out, called
TO the men In the other car,
Turn around and keep the
motor running, This will 90 of
just like the other one. Joe--you
get up on the hill, Flash your
light when you see q car coming
up, then duck back through the
pasture, I'll have someone pick
you up.
you, Bill, steer the car. Be
sure that fuse Is fastened tight
and watch out you don't blow up
when you light 1t, Jump of when
the car gets rolling good and go
down into the canyon. Tonyll
have your hose down there.
"Ill 90 back TO the house with
shultz and let him put a bump on
my head. But I'll take care OF
Collins first."
He came back TO Larry, cut the
ropes that bound his wrists. Move
over under the wheel, Collins
You're driving from here on"
Larry rubbed his wrists TO re-