The Ely miner., 1942-08-27
CHAPTER VII


was a quick one, running with the
current. In the car going back to
San Alejo they stopped but once
at the culvert and cribbing on which
Henderson's crew was still at work.
Curt had to talk with Henderson,
get behind that reserve he'd met
with yesterday, learn some facts he
could get his teeth into. Getting
warnings was no good unless you
knew what they were aimed against.
But he needed a reason for stop
ping, for the senior was reluctant.
Curt told Montaya he wasn't salts
fed about the size of culvert being
installed.
1T wouldn't take too much strain
to wash out that fill," he pointed
out. Better to be safe than sorry"
Mr.. Mitchell passed on the size,"
the senior remarked.
"And have respect for his judg-
ment," Curt answered. "Neverthe-
less, on work for which I'm re-
sponsible, I take no ones word un-
til I'm satisfied myself"
The senor elected, but reluctant
ly, to remain on the tracks by the
car. At that level there was some
current of air, while from below
heat waves rose in solid mass
from the naked floor of the valley.
The fact that his clothes were no
longer so fresh and clean seemed
to distress him.
Curt clambered down the steep
embankment to examine the con-
crete pipe. He squatted on his heels,
Henderson beside him, to make jot-
tlngs In his little notebook. He meas
ured the fiune and hammered on
1t. An act for "The Dark Lily"
for they were not many feet from
Montaya. By lowering their heads
they could speak in tones that
wouldn't carry to the man above.
Curt wasted no time. "You put
note in my bag yesterday"
Eyes, Curt. Look, Curt, I've got
to have long talk with you. But
not here and now, not in front of
Montaya."
"We'n manage it soon. Bill, Stats
Monahan tells me Mitch was wor-
ried for days before his murder.
That right?"
WE'LL, yes, Curt, he was"
What about?"
'I-uh, don't know. He didn't let
me in on it."
Henderson's voice had gone fiat,
lifeless. Curt considered, tried
again.
why was he in dither about
getting to the Zone?"
Henderson looked startled.
'He wasn't" the lanky man said
slowly. 'He only know a fell
low there, name of Collins, comes
from my home town, and Mitch
oh, hell, Curt" Henderson let go
disgustedly, "this's why l want to
talk to you, to tell you just enough
to keep you from messing around
about Mitch's murder. I know you
from way back when something
dirty pops up.
There's something rotten going
on here, and Mitch was wise to it.
Som I, but refuse to pass it on
to you. You've got wife and kids
here, and you'll keep out of this.
I know who killed Mitch, and why,
but / couldn't prove anything.
Anyway, what's done is done and
it's no skin off your nose. You
keep out of it and I'll give you some
dam good reasons why, soon's we
ta1 Va, -
me. / know what to do and how to
do it, and there's nobody waiting
for me with candle in the win
dow"
Its no skin off my nose," Curt
growled, unless whatever did for
Mitch is a danger to me by taking
over his job"
''It won't be if you watch your
self"
Montaya's feet, above, crunched
on crushed rock as he tested a foot
hold for the easiest descent.
Curt rocked back on his heels,
made another note in his little book,
then rose and climbed the embank-
ment Montaya was patiently an
noyed but got into the car without a
word.
Curt, his foot on the running
board, called down to Henderson.
"By the way, Bill, try to get up to
San Alejo this weekend. Come to
dinner Saturday night and meet the
kids
For reply Henderson grinned and
flung his arm in vague salute.
AS the car started up, Curt said,
ST know the guy pretty well. If
anyone can keep him sober and on
the job, can"
To this Montaya said nothing. In
stead, he asked, 'The culvert? Did
you make up your mind?"
Curt thought he detected note of
sarcasm. "Not so casually" he an
swered in kind. "I'n have to study
Mitchell's notes on flood waters and
valley drainage at this point"
Montaya regained his suavity in
a few minutes and began to talk of
the work in general and plans for
the morrow.
''You have yet to go over the rest
of the tract before getting down to
work. should like you to cover il
tomorrow and the next day. Unfor-
tunately, shall not be free"
"It's lot of territory" Curt said
thoughtfully. ''Would you use a
plane? Is there a place to land on
the fats?"
mo-" was the snap answer to
this. "It will be fatiguing but you
can do it by mule. The main drain
age canal will take you one full
day. and there you can use an out.
board motorboat. You can catch
the rest on the second day.