The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-07-10

fact that 1t was white mans KILL
ing. And suppose it was a white
man, Jerry, or couple Of them?
So what? Old Mitch knew his job,
but he certainly piled up enemies.
You and I know that well enough.
He made engineers out Of US, first
job out Of college, but we got plenty
bruised in the process. Men with
less sense of humor than we have
can't take the treatment he dished
out"
Curt pulled at his drink reflective
~.
"You didn't give me any Details"
he mentioned after another mo-
ment.
'sThere aren't many. A track
walker found him early in the morn
UNFORTUNATELY before the buzzards
did. Let's see, the 18th, it was.
About a kilometer outside Of Tenn
pujo, in a ditch by the track. The
damn zopilotes were wheeling over
head, so he got the section handcar,'
loaded the body onto it"
"The 1lth?" interrupted Curt.
'sThat's the date Of their letter to
me! They didn't waste any time.
Wonder how they picked b man so
quickly?"
'sWell, the dates correct. I re-
member because we had an early
evening dinner-dance on the Tekla
at Soledad the night before Mitch
was found. And the Tekla pulled
out for Cristobal about 900 p. m.
on the 10TH"
''It did" exclaimed Curt softly.
He looked at McInnis. tTheir let
ter to me was dated the 18th, but
air-mailed from Cristobal on the
18th. Didn't notice that discrepan-
cy at first. When ! finally did, I fig
ured the letter either made plane
to the Canal Zone, or was misdated
in error"
1--WE have no air service to Pana-
ma from Soledad- direct. Course,
it's less than two hours by air to
the Zone, but I doubt they'd make
the fight just for letter. Any
way, know messenger from Tenn
pujo brought mail to the Telxla just
before it sailed. Came as our party
was breaking up and going ashore"
Then the chances are the letter
to me, dated the 18th, was put
aboard the Telxla which sailed the
10th. Actually mailed before Mitch
was found murdered. Right?"
"By God, Curt, that's sol" Nc
Innis brought his palm down on the
bar. "Mitch was killed some time
after dark on the 10th and discov-
cred early on the 11th."
Meanwhile p Curt fell silent,
then looked up keenly. "The two
Swedes are white men,"
McInnis frowned. Sand there are
plenty more white men where you're
going. No, Curt, the Swedes are
not what we'd want for bosom pals,
but we've no right to jump to con-
illusions. Besides" he dropped the
scowl and grinned, 81 did some
checking up myself. Had my motor
boy ask questions here and there.
The Swede made the run from Tenn
pujo to San Alejo late that after
noon, while Mitch was staying in
Tempujo overnight"
Another silence fell between them.
Then Curt spoke harshly.
"Jerry, there's more here than
meets the eye. II Mitch's killing
was a grudge payment, then, TERRA
Libre being what it is, there's lit
tie we can do about it. Nothing, in
fact. And there's nothing for me
to worry about. I don't make ene-
mics like Mitch did. But if there's
more behind it -,
McInnis heaved sigh.
s'Curt, be careful! Don't mount
any white charger over Mitch. He
asked for it. He's been asking for
it for years. And you've got Lee
and the kids here now. But if--well,
/ don't have to say it, but if you
find you're in spot, call on me-"
They downed the last Of their
drinks and swiveled to face the
room. But before rejoining Lee Curt
brought up another matter.
''By the way" he said slowly.
studying his friends face, II saw a
destroyer headed for Soledad this
morning. American, I suppose
looked like ours. Any particular
reason for it," #a s5
mo. The country's quiet as a
church meeting. DR.. Areas only
one step removed from being a die
tator, sure, but good one. Seems
to be what the people need, they're
satisfied. He's solidly entrenched,
too, there's no opposition to speak
of. But :" He paused.
ssWell?"
'Well, we had Navy visit only
couple of weeks ago, and they GER
tainly aren't scheduled to stop in
again so SOON" He added, in a puz-
zled tone, Funny didn't see the
ship as ! came down the coast"
''You were pretty low in the wa
ter and they were some distance
off,"
sHuh. Well !" He shrugged.
They started across the room to
rejoin Lee and the boys. McInnis