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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH. UTAH 7 GRANVILLE CHURCH THE STOBT SO FAR: Jell Curtis and his wile, Lee, are on their way to Tierra Libre when Jeff receives a note from Zora Mitchell warning them not to come. Later he learns from Jerry Mclnnis that Zoras husband has been murdered and that it is his Job as chief engineer for a fruit company that Jeff has been called to fill. When they arrive in Tierra Libre, Jerry tells Jeff there is something strange going on. Jeff and Lee meet Montaya, Jeff's employer, and go' with him to San Alejo, where Montaya tells them that Zora Mitchell has committed suicide. Neither Jeff nor Lee believes that her death was suicide. Zora, they agree, was not the type to commit suicide. Jeff suspects Montaya of arranging, or at least of knowing about both Zoras and her husbands death. NOW CONTINUE WITH THE STORY CHAPTER IV Every day was a new day at San Alejo, fresh and cool and clean at dawn no matter what the blazing sun might bring later. Even the asphalt underfoot was toned up by the dew as Curt swung along for his early appointment with Montaya. Curts mind should have been toned up, too, by the tangy air so much like a Fall morning at home, but his last words to Lee just now hed read the pucker between her eyes were still in his ears. Dont you be worrying about Zora Mitchell, hed told her. I admit suicide doesnt sound like her, but we hadnt seen her for six years and that length of time will work changes in any of us. It was her little girl I was thinking of, Lee had answered him soberly. Ill find out about her. Curt made his way to Montayas office, a room paneled and furnished in unvarnished whitewood. An impression of coolness was heightened by Venetian blinds and a grass rug. Curt came to the point before Senor Montaya could broach business. He said, suggestively, The news of Mrs. Mitchells death was a considerable shock to us to my wife and me. Montaya looked at him in silence as though the words needed elaboration. I mean, we should hardly have expected suicide of Zora Mitchell, especially as she was leaving a small child. Nor did I expect it. The senor made this statement as a sort of admission. He fumbled among papers on his desk, bringing forth two large square envelopes. From one he spread several photographs before Curt. They showed, from different angles, Zora Mitchell slumped over in a bamboo peacock chair, her head at a curious in angle. There was a bullet-hol- e her left temple, and blood had run from the wound, coagulated, stained high-ceiling- W.N.U. SERVICE V, At length he said, picking his that theyve tried a lime treatment words, It would be natural for you for it. It was a simple question I to want to see the murderer of Mr. put. The quantity of lime landed on Mitchell brought to justice. I also the docks do. But I assure you everything Ah, ja. It iz trrooth I use der was done that could be done. You lime but alzo der Oder chemicals. may believe me, Mr. Curtis, it would Vat I use iz my zegred. Der bana-an- a be a waste of time for you to try pla-avill be der more healthy where we have failed. und vigorous from my chemical Curt stared before he managed, treatment uff der soil, und so ve Oh, quite. combat der fungi more better as Splendid. Besides, shall I con- yet. Den vill ve haff der reechest fess to a selfish motive? If if, I in Tierra Libre. If Dr. Toenjes did have a miracusay, we have been mistaken and the murderer is still about, then he lous cheap compound for soil treatis a more clever man than we think. ment, something to allay the dreadAnd if you should interest yourself ed fungus disease, something with in the case, you might perhaps in- which Associated could rejuvenate vite a similar fate, no? their used lands, then there was Montaya put an end to the sub- good reason for guarding the secret. You still haff frriends ofer der ject with an apologetic flash of teeth. I cannot risk that. Engineering Negro vith Associated? work is behind schedule. I need The amusement in Curts eyes was a better answer than his words. you so very badly, Mr. Curtis. The trend of the interview, Curts The next hour was spent in meetthat Montaya was exhibitof workers feeling the ing key general staff, persons with whom Curt would have ing him to the doctor, a certain indefinable deference in Montayas atfrequent contact. It was a whirlwind tour. The bulk titude toward the Dutchman, conof employees, numbering fifty to six- vinced Curt that whatever the ty, were Americans, with a sprin- dumpy, bearded man had, hed sold kling of Britishers and other Euro- Montaya on it pretty solidly. At last, as final courtesies were peans. Then said Montaya, This is the being said, the worthy doctor let befet time of day for you to meet Dr. down the bars. He asked with what Toenjes. Later he is likely to be could best be described as a cunin the field. ning look, You blay gribbage, ja? Cribbage? Curt laughed. Sure, Using a handy phone he called for the laboratory, and when he got his I know the game. Goot. We blay sometime, ja? connection spoke in French. French? Certainly. queried Curt, as the other hung up. I thought the name Montaya explained as they left the laboratory. was Dutch. Dr. Toenjes one regret here is smiled perfunctorily. Montaya that he has no good opponent at his favorite game. Their final stop was the engineering office, a structure, square like the laboratory. It occupied the comer between the general offices and the clubhouse, thus completing the layout of principal company buildings about the square and balancing the community center. Here Curt was introduced to his own staff. It was now midmoming. Three draftsmen were at work, two at detail drawings, the third on maps. One room was reserved for the field men when they came to San Alejo to submit their progress reports. There wa3 a dark-rooand a big vault containing records and master charts. From photostatic machine down to electric erasers the equipment throughout was , Curts own office was airy, light, cool, with both desk and big table on which to spread out his papers, a swivel chair between, a handy upright rack for rolls of blueprints. But the one thing which instantly took his attention was the huge aerial photographic map of the C. A. T. nt pla-anti- i one-sto- ry home. Aint It So? Teacher I have went out. Why How It Happened My dear, I was struck dumb. Oh, is that the explanation? is that wrong? Pupil Because you aint went out yet. a Adding to His Greatness Every great scientist has a right to be conceited, but he never is. The difference between perseverance and obstinancy is one is a strong will and the other a strong won't. Give many your hand but few Raw, bitter weather dries nlrin cells, leaves them thirsty. Skin becomes raw may crack and bleed. Soothing Mentholatum acts medicinally, helps: 1) Revive thirsty cells so they can retain needed moisture; 2) Protect chapped skin from further irritation. At the first sign of chapped skin, smooth on cooling Mentholatum. Jars 304. your head. It is a good plan to tell no more of your own troubles than you want to hear about other peoples. El And So Were Overloaded We are so busy asking to be given more than we have that we havent time to ask to be able to appreciate the things we have. To say nothing of your enemies plies what you think of them. Buy War Savings Bonds conus 60 FAS? im- Housecleaning to a woman is a good deal like cleaning up his desk is to a man. Say what you will about blunt people, but they usually come to Palo goes quick, corns speedily removed when yon ose thin, soothing, cushioning Dr. SchoUs s. Try them! Zino-pad- the point. ultra-mode- tract permanently framed against the her dress. Her left hand, hanging over the arm of the chair, held a gun Curt recognized as a Luger. A Luger! he thought instantly. Funny! Whered she get that? He recalled how Mitchell had al- ways favored a Colt .45 against all foreign makes of small arms. Another question forced itself on Curts mind. Why hadnt the physical shock relaxed Zoras fingers and made her drop the gun? Now, in the case of her husband, we had no chance to obtain photographs on the ground. The body was moved to Tempujo. But we did the best we could. I had Ah, but it is sad about her. Poor little thing. Oh, Dr. Toenjes also speaks Spanish and English after a fashion. He is more successful with French. You do not, then, speak French? As Curt shook his head, I thought not. He will use English with you. The Agricultural Department ocsketches made." cupied an adjacent building, filling From the second envelope Mon- a corner left by the administrataya spread out these sketches, and tion building and the hospital Monwith them a map marked with an taya pushed on through the outer X and two photographs of the body office. as it lay on the flat handcar. In the huge working laboratory An inquest was held, of course, there was shelf upon shelf, and row as in the case of Mrs. Mitchell. upon row, of carefully labeled boxes Both ah, incidents were quite prop- and jars. Along one side of the erly handled by our local police. We room a number of steel filing cabihave a comandancia here, another nets stood in a straight line. On the work tables were at Tempujo. The sketches and the map were vessels alembics, glass funnels, retorts. valueless, but the photographs . Dr. Toenjes below medium height, Curt picked up one of them. The a dirty linen laboratory smock, in was sickening, the body picture slashed and mutilated beyond recog- proved a colorless individual. Innition. Many of the cuts were clean, deed, with his face and however, and something about these careless dress he looked fair prey clean cuts rang a bell in Curts mind. for a caricaturist. he Yet the reason didnt at once click wore thick-lens-e spectacles which d that cuts which didnt bleed had gave him a appearance. The first words were conventional to be made after death, after the blood stops coursing in the body. greeting. Then: Your shipment of ah, chemicals What about their little girl? he at Cabeza aroused Mr. Curtis curiasked. Only five, isnt she? I Ah, but it is sad about her. Poor osity yesterday, Montaya said. little thing. We have her at the told him such questions were your hospital for the present, where the special province. nurses can look after her. I am Geniality left the bearded face. trying to get in touch with relatives Hostile gray eyes bored through the in the States. thick lenses into Curt. You ver vonce vith der beebles Montaya stacked the photographs and sketches, replaced them in their across der riffer? asked the Dutchenvelopes. He drew from his pocket man. an oversize cigarette case and Curt nodded, smiled. Montayas tamped against the lid one of the deprecation of the doctors English h Turkish cigarettes hadnt been an exaggeration. special he used. Apparently he was conSix years ago.;. I know Panama sidering some problem. disease has shown up with them and odd-shap- full-beard- Near-sighte- bug-eye- six-inc- ng Late Addition Fewer Still Teacher Tommy, how many He was in deep disgrace, and make a few? try as he would, he could not get a smile out of his wife. or Three four. Tommy Are you cross with me because How many make a dozen? I came home with a black ' eye Twelve. last night? he asked. How many make a million? No, replied his wife tersely, Very few. you hadnt got it when you came d, ed wall. Here was something! Montaya led the way across the room, to tap proudly with his finger tips. Id never have gotten my planting under way without this. This map showed a rough triangle of about 20,000 hectares, or 50,000 acres. The Quebrado Mountains formed the western boundary. Along the south and east flowed the Masica River, joining the turbulent, unruly Rio Negro, the northern boundary, just below the rise of land where stood Tempujo. No buildings and no engineering work showed on the map. It had been made before any preliminary work had been done. But it gave "ACCIDENTS , Curt an instant picture of the entire project; of the drainage necessary to clear the huge swamp, dotted with stands of jungle; of the levees necessary to hold back the rivers; of the best terrain for spur tracks to feed the farms. Who made this map? Mr. Ryden and Mr. Lannestock, was the answer. In a plane I chartered especial for the purpose, a year before I was ready to start work. It takes long to secure ' a concession, to plan. It is good work no? They are competent young men! That is why I am so happy now to have them under contract. Bueno. Here are progress reports on the Negro levee, the main drainage system, and the railroad. You will wish to look them over but you will be brief about it, no? Directly after lunch we shall start on an inspection tour of the valley. For this we shall take the rest of today and tomorrow, so you will bring what personal articles you need for overnight. In the meantime, I have much to do mv. self Curt hardly noticed Montayas departure. He even forgot the worries in the back of his mind. What a job! The best equipment to work with, a challenge to meet, with the next seasons rainfall the deadline He swelled to .the task, his eyes shone. He could have stood for hours before that map. Noon rolled around all. too soon,. . 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