The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-10-23

had lived he would have made part
of these islands yours, Karen"
'sWe don't know that" Karen
said. IT don't believe he ever even
heard was alive. Oh, what shock
ing deprivationl"
He undoubtedly did not know you
were alive" Colt agreed. 'sIf he
had known it, he would never have
let them get his island away from
him. He would have saved it for you.
A lonely old man, with no kin left
so far as be mew-it's reasonable
that he should be reckless with his
property; and undoubtedly he was
very hard beset when he sold Ala
koa. But if Garrett Waterson had
known he had a granddaughter,
things would be different now"
She looked at him gratefully. II
was hard to imagine John Colt fall
ing In anything; and this, rather
than his smile, with its easy, super
fetal warmth, conveyed a certain
| reinsurance TO Karen.
nave DCCA NC1J 1O1Il44dtC Ii
finding out what we needed to
know" John Colt said now. "Some
of it has cost little money, but not
too much. I'm glad to say that all
reports are extremely favorable. We
have dug up more witnesses, and
more conclusive testimony that we
could possibly have hoped. And
when it comes to the present condi-
ton Of your island"
1T isn't my island yet"
You simply have to hold in mind
that it is rightfully yours. And it's
going to be yours in actually. Your
claim has a wealth of legal prece-
dent here, principally because of the
white mans habit of separating the
natives from their things. What ]
started to say is that the Alakoa
plantations are IN wonderful shape
Il don't see how they can possibly
net less than forty or fifty thousand
year. There viii be no trouble at
all IN financing a continuance of ac-
tivity, without any hitch, as soon as
you take over. Old James Wayne
has evidently been an excellent
manager. After you have taken pos
session, it may prove wise to en-
ploy him as such. That would be
feasible with some men-I don't
know whether or not it will be pos
sible with James Wayne"
The driving energy behind John
Colt never caused him to hurry, nor
to stumble. He knew how to attack
swiftly, but his plan of attack was
always thorough to the last detail.
81 have not the least doubt" he
told Karen, ''that We'll win your
case. Of course there will be sew
eral appeals. But l am now con-
WINGED that IN the end Alakoa viii
be yours, just as inevitably as sun
rise. Very little is left to be done"
Karen drew deep breath, trying
to contemplate nationally this in
credible dream IN which she, un-
accountably, found herself playing a
living part.
The one thing I would like to
know now is just what this Richard
Wayne, this so-called Tonga Dick,
is doing here. :"
f'He's one of the brothers, isn't
he? Isn't it natural that he should
come back under the-the circum-
stances?'
Possibly; but not necessarily.
Richard Wayne may or may not ex-
pect to inherit part interest In the
island of Alakoa. Certainly he has
been at outs with his whole family
for some time. / would like to know
exactly why he Is here"
But If our case is complete"
Zone thing could beat US, and
break our case completely, and lose
you Alakoa forever. One thing, and
only one thing"
''And that?"
eff you don't mind, I'd rather not
discuss that angle of it, even with
you"
His eyes did not avoid her as he
said that; his practiced air of cam
dor remained imperturbable. Never
theless, a small unwelcome chill
touched Karen. A shadow of some
thing very like unpleasant mystery
was beginning to creep into a situa-
ton that was already disturbing.
sit must be something pretty poi
sonous," she said.
ION the contrary, it is contin-
gency that think improbable IN the
extreme. / think it Is impossible
that we lose. But ! still would Like
to know more about Richard
Wayne"
''Why wouldn't it be dandy
idea," Karen said hopefully, tfor me
to talk it over with Tonga Richard
HIMSELF"
For you to-what?"
ASK him why he's here"
"Are you being funny?"
well, isn't he the only one who
hows?"
''Ha-ha," said John Colt dutifully,
mistaking his cue.
81 mean it, john" Karen said. 81
suppose Richard Wayne's brothers
know what I look like, by this time.
But Tonga Dick has just arrived;
it's very possible that neither you
nor have been pointed out to him.
If not-why can't Mr.. Wayne and ]
have a chubby little chat?"
John Colt looked at her acutely;
undoubtedly she had surprised him.
"Just what is it you want to do?"
''Well-for instance, if you viii
leave the table, III have him come
and sit In your place"
Partly, Karen knew, the sugges-
ton was born of an irrepressible
curiosity to know more about Tonga
n l. - Al