Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-12-17
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of Kitty Chatfield. If he meant it,
this is the time for him to talk;
so why isn't he trying to find us to
tell what he knows?"
l had no answer for that. Indeed
the more we talked the more hope
lessly involved we seemed to be-
come. Perhaps while we slept our
subconscious monitors could sort
over the many conflicting factors.
I remarked as much to Rogers.
"Sleep not only 'knits up the raw
| elpd sleeve of care but also straight
ems out many things. It's fact"
he commented. Suppose we see if
the launch still waits for us down
| at the wharf"
We set out to walk the compare
lively short distance down the mar
row twisting streets.
Rogers hand suddenly was flung
out to stop me. Two figures were
idling under street light a short
distance from the end of the wharf;
the rays of the light shone down
upon battered guitar which brown
fingers were idly stunning.
Our two mariachis," I said.
They observed our approach and
called out to us: "Buenas noches,
senores."
Rogers returned their greeting 1t
was not until then that I realized
what had drawn his attention so
forcibly to them. We walked up to
them and halted Rogers pointed
to the sombrero which Felipe, the
larger of the two, was wearing.
"Que es esto?" he asked.
"Es un sombrero, senor," was the
reply.
Eyes, know" Rogers continued
in Spanish, "but whose hat is it,"
ut is the hat of the gentleman
who wears the fine clothes, senor,"
was the astonishing reply.
That's what thought" said Rog-
ers. How do you happen to be
wearing it tonight?"
81 found it, senor."
Found it,"
"Oh, yes, senior. Come. 1 will
show you the very spot where find
it this morning."
Wonderingly we fell in behind the
two boys who plunged into a dark
passageway which, as we walked,
discovered was leading us to the
waters edge underneath the wharf.
We were stumbling along in the
gloom when Rogers took out tiny
pocket f1ashlight to guide our feet.
what is that?" asked Pancho,
the smaller, when the light cast its
feeble rays into the darkness.
"A f1ashlight, Pancho," replied
Rogers.
Il have never seen one so small,
senor,' the boy replied
A few steps farther on and we
came out upon the damp sand. Here
Felipe asserted was the spot where
he had found the black sombrero-
the very spot, right on the sand be-
side this very piling
"Was it in the water, Felipe?" in
quired Rogers.
mo, sir, on the sand. The tide
was out"
Had it been in the water? Was
it wet?"
Eyes, sir; 1 think it had foated
on the water and been left by the
tide on the sand"
"H-m-m!' Rogers voice was
tense. 81 should like to have the
sombrero, Felipe, to take with me-. !"
Eyes, sir" The boy took it off
and gave it to Rogers.
I'll give you something" He
fumbled in his pocket.
Il want nothing, sir: it is not my
hat. 1t is the hat of your friend
who wears the fine clothes. l could
not find him today to give it back
to him."
We walked back up to the end Of
the wharf where we parted with the
pair. Rogers still fumbled in his
pocket. Suddenly he held out the
little flashlight.
Let me give you this" he said,
for taking care of the hat
With an exchange of buenas no.
chcs we separated. the boys lighting
their way up the street with the aid
of the newly acquired f1ashlight,
and we walking out upon the de-
serted wharf to the landing where
the launch was waiting for us.
We went silently down to the
launch. Arturo, loafing in the seats,
sprang up to help u.s.
Are we the last ones to 60 aboard
tonight, Arturo" Rogers inquired
with an effort at cheerfulness.
Eyes, sir; all are aboard now, ex-
cept you two gentlemen. Mr.. Mich
OILS say wait for you, and l wait. -
After some moments he stirred the
engine into life and then cast off.
We moved slowly at first close
alongside the wharf, pulling away
only little from the darker shad-
ows. AS we left the wharf's black
edge and emerged into the area
illumined somewhat by the lights on
the wharf above us, the launch
struck something in the water and
careened slightly
What was that?" Rogers de-
manded.
1T are perhaps log, sir" re-