The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-09-24

U
thought, or even German. At least
enough to get the gist of it.
Tomorrow, he decided, would be
better time for his talk with Mon
taya, so he went out, closing the
door quietly, and stood for mo-
ment rejecting. His hands busily
loaded his pipe, tamping down the
| tobacco.
That last burst of anger clearly
showed that the worthy Dutchman
had the upper hand. Curt scowled.
Then he moved on slowly.
what goes on here?" he NUT
tered to himself. who's the boss,
Montaya or this Dutch prima dom
na?"
Next morning, when Curt again
called at Montaya's office, he found
| 'The Dark Lily" his usual suave
| and polished self. If DR.. Toenjes'
boorish outbursts of the night be-
fore had caused annoyance, there
was no indication of it now.
The senior was as ever a plate OF
sartorial elegance. Today his white
gabardines were ivened by purple
red accessories, which had the Gu
rious effect of making his lips seem
the fuller. Curtis own lips curled
slightly at the picture, but he man.
aged a pleasant enough Good morn
ing" and got down to business.
you've had word about the ma
chimes I recommended"
Yesterday. The purchase has
gone through and the machines are
on the way to New Orleans. They
will be shipped on the next voyage
south of the Pisces. The two SHOW
els previously on order will arrive at
Cabeza Saturday morning."
Zine! I can use them! And my
requisition for additional men? It's
pretty difficult handling two shifts
with skeleton crews"
''The first should be here in about
one week"
"I'n plan accordingly. Now, about
this survey of the Upper Negro for
reservoir site. Tomorrow I'm
making a quick trip above the rap
ids to refresh my memory of that
terrain. It's some years, you know,
since I was here. I want to be
ready to send out surveying party
| the first of next week :"
Getting into details of this job,
Curt let himself go. He'd finish the
levee and drainage system already
worked out on paper and under con-
struction, and enjoy it. But this
reservoir idea came from him. It
would be his baby, especially as it
tied in so closely with the over
head irrigation plan he was so anx-
ious to get into. He lost himself
in the discussion of it.
AS he finished outlining the scope
! of his proposed survey, Montaya
brought him back to earth.
'Be sure Emilio accompanies you
on the trip tomorrow, Mr.. Curtis"
Curt blinked. All, yes, Emilio,
he thought. Aloud he said smooth
ly, "Of course. Your orders, are
they not?"
During some remaining routine
items Curt kept wondering why no
mention had been made of his trip
to the airfeld. Certainly DR.. Toen-
jes had brought it to the senor's at
tention. Vehemently. Plenty of heat
had been generated over it in this
office last evening.
He wondered, too, why there'd
been no reference, at least casual, to
the u. S. Army plane forced down.
This sort of thing didn't happen Of
ten. Yet Montaya seemed to have
no intention of speaking about it.
Instead, he mentioned, "My daily
hospital report says you were treat
ed for minor cut"
"Only a puncture-weed scratch.
It'll be all right"
However, you will have a care,
no? I do not wish you to be in
capacitated. Have it dressed again
today and be sure DR.. Berry says
there will be no danger of infection
before you leave tomorrow.
But if Montaya had no intention
of mentioning the airfeld visit, Curt
had, and this gave him an opening.
"That reminds me. While at the
hospital yesterday stumbled onto
the path to the airfeld. So I de-
cided to make them that visit you
suggested. You do the men at the
field very well in the matter Of &C.
commodations.
"You mean the swimming pool,
the tennis court? 1t pays"
Hmm, thought Curt, no outburst
over my not sending 'em an en-
graved notice? Give him another
chance. ~
"I-uh, know you don't like inter-
departmental comments, but I have
one you shouldn't object to. That
part of the field used daily is kept
pretty well under fire control. But
one can see from a distance that
the grass at the far end of the field
is high and dry. It should be kept
cut"
Montaya was looking steadily at
Curt. He didn't speak.
'None of my business, perhaps"
Curt shrugged, "but it's in the in
terest of safety. Even if the build
ings at that end aren't of great
value, you have materials stored
there. Precautions should be taken. {"
"You are quite right, Mr.. Curtis,
quite right. shall make a note
of it." And make note of it he did
at least he did some careful
scratching on his calendar pad.
| What Can't get any kind of rise
out of him? The imp of perverseness
in Curt prodded him, and he ven-
tured again.
"That army plane from the Canal
Zone that was forced down here yes
terday. I rather expected you to
come to the field--as a sort of well
coming gesture"