The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-12-18

Now continue with the story.
''Ysu see," Dick said, "as this con-
test for AIakoa sits down, all the
original aspects of the case are 60
ing e have to be investigated with
the utmost thoroughness-and made
public. You understand that, sup
poser"
Willard Wayne said with an I'M
necessary intensity, "Just what do
you mean by that?"
'I mean that it is very likely
even inevitable-that lot of things
are going to be brought to light that
nobody's thought about for long
time. Isn't that SOP"
Don't know what you're driving
at" Ernest mumbled.
How well, for instance" Dick
Wayne asked them, "do you think
that you knew James Wayne?"
We've worked with him all our
lives" Willard said impatiently.
And yet, did it ever occur to you
he might know some things you new
CT suspected at alp"
'Nonsense!"
Fer example," Dick went on, his
voice lazy, take the exact circun-
stances under which old Garrett
Waterson left here-just at the time
the Waynes bought this island"
That has nothing to do with il, 4"
Ernest declared. 1.-THE entire trans
action was closed before Garrett
acknowledgements"
This disappearance" Dick prod
ded them; 'the tradition has been
that he set sail southwest, In his
own schooner, and was never seen
again-wasn't that it?"
Well? Can we be expected to
account for"
Didn't you happen to know"
Dick Wayne asked them, ''that when
Garrett Waterson sailed, our father
was with him."
They were not looking at him
now; but their eyes were fixed upon
each other, and an unspoken ques-
ton passed between them.
Tonga Dick leaned forward, his
face hardening. "The old rumor is
that Garrett Waterson must have
been lost at sea-" he bore down on
them. "And yet-and yet, our IA
Their came back"
Dick saw Willard Wayne's heavy
neck redden; the color rose and rose
until Wizards eyes, no longer slow
and mild, stared bleakly out of a
purple congestion. Ernest, howev-
er, turned a sickly green, and be-
hind ais glasses his eyes could not
be seen.
Dicks own eyes turned ugly. $50
you did know that?" he said.
You've known it for a long time,
haven't your"
Step" said Willard Wayne thick
". "You don't know what you're
saying!"
u take it." Dick said, "that I
was not supposed to know about that
little circumstance.
wizards voice rose. ST object to
your tone" he clustered. ST object
70 the whole line you've taken. It
isn't up to US to go raking through
the dead ashes of the past!''
You've told me what I wanted
70 knew Dick said. ''You put me
In mind of a couple of tide pools
full Of octopi-easy to see to the
bottom of, but not pretty to look at.
I can understand now why James
Wayne never trusted either one of
youP"
''What-what-" The edge of Err
nest Wayne's voice sounded frayed
out, raveled what do you mean?"
he finally got out.
''Hew long," Tonga Dick asked
them, have you two supposed your
selves to be the sons of a murder
err"
Ernest Wayne stood up violently,
both hands gripping the edge of the
desk. That's a ie!" he shouted.
Wizard Wayne sat motionless.
'fWen?" he said at last.
'l don't wonder that John Colt
scares you out of your WITS" Dick
said. ST should think he would!'
There was silence then, raw
and uncomfortable. Willard Wayne
spoke to Ernest, his voice heavy and
dead. you see, / was right. We
have to go back to Honolulu-at once
tomorrow. Some way, somehow,
we've got to settle out of court with
John Colt, at any cost"
yes" Ernest said.
Dick could see the man visibIy
twisted between cupidity that
could not face loss and a cowardice
which was afraid of something else.
It was not pretty sight.
"You won't have to go to Honolu-
H." Dick said sardonically; "you
can save yourselves the trip. John
Colt viii be here within twenty-four
hours"
''C&t? Here? What could make
him come here?"
At make him come here" Tonga
Dick said.
The eyes of the two brothers
snapped sharply to Dicks face.
Probably they did not believe him;
bur they were grasping at straws.
you hold something over John
Colt?" Willard asked.
do you mean," Dick asked in