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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH, UTAH ; 12 0 CHAPTER III Mclnnis shoved off for Puerto at once. His launch was built for service, not speed, and bucking the tides along the coast would slow him down further. On the dock it took the combined efforts of both Lee and Curt to keep the boys out of mischief. Presently a downriver boat snuggled into its berth with the ease of So-led- ad a ferry. Senor Montaya was unmistakable tall, erect of bearing, very clearly the gente de pelo, the gente principal of these countries. He wore faultless whites, a crisp panama on curly black hair. Straight from the ship to the little group he came. My sincere apologies, Mr. Curwere his first tis, Mrs. Curtis, words. He spoke with very little accent, though the timbre of his voice betrayed his Spanish origin. He made a deep bow to Lee, held out his hand to Curt. I have been more than busy since ah, Mr. Mitchells unfortunate happening. You have discovered by now the reason I need a new Chief Engi- neer, no? Lee took the boys in hand, holding their interest with the selection of a gigantic, gaudy straw hat for each of them, from stock piled a dozen high on a vendors head, while Senor Montaya led Curt on a quick survey of the docks and facilities here. In the sheds, two items instantly caught the eye two boxes forty feet long, ten wide, and quite thin for these dimensions. Curt cocked a brow at them. Montaya said briefly, Spare wings. We have two planes. One of them was tied up for weeks once by a damaged wing, so now we have spares on hand. One end of the bodega was piled high with barrels bearing the stencil n chemical firm. Curt of a before them, looked them paused over with considerable interest. well-know- Lime. So you treat the soil before Over-aciI suping? he asked. pose, from centuries of flooding. A frown definitely stamped forehead at this, but was immediately chased away by a smile that showed even, white teeth. That, Mr. Curtis, the senor replied smoothly, is a question that would come under the head of chemical research. We have a chemical expert, Dr. Toenjes, from Amsterdam. If he likes you, he may be willing to answer your questions. But I wouldnt count on it, he said, with another flash of teeth. Dr. Toenjes is quite jealous of his theories, which I expect will produce more and better fruit than Associated across the river. As Curt was turning this over in his mind, Senor Montaya pulled at his lower lip a lip unusually red even for his swarthy skin. I expect you to work along with us in this fashion. You are responsible for the engineering work assigned to you, just as Dr. Toenjes is responsible as Agricultural Superintendent, just as Mr. Lannestock is n responsible for aviation and Mr. for transportation. Lannestock? Ryden? Most of our contract employees are Americans. These two are Swedish. I brought them here as pilots. e But we no longer need two pilots. As Mr. Ryden proved himself capable in transportation matters, I have given him charge of that Mon-tay- as Ry-de- full-tim- department. Curt had. a long-establish- ed habit of fiddling with his pipe when mull- ing over some point that needed thought. He suddenly discovered hed been stuffing it during this polite harangue. Since the senor while talking had been leading the way into the open. Curt now lit up, expelling a huge cloud of smoke before he said mildly, with a smile: All of which is by way of telling me to mind my own business? Well, hired me thats all right. Youve for the engineering end of your venture, and thats where my interest lies. Ill try to curb my wandering curiosity. ft fu (V (v (U (W (la O- Senor Montaya preened himself. A good site, no? The whole year ment. I am quite sure we shall get there are winds that sweep across this face of the mountains in late along, Mr. Curtis. afternoon and evening, but never look-se- e in took the a They rapid port office, Montaya introducing does the wind come up from the old Curt casually, then returned to Lee swampland. The result? We are and the children, seated on their happy to have no malaria here pile of luggage. The boys leashes where we live. This makes the were on them again, much to their senora more comfortable, no? He pointed as the car rounded a audible disgust. A pair of quick toots now came curve and the town came into fuller from the river steamer that had view. You see that long, low building? been loading all morning, even as Our hospital. Larger than we need, the Pisces docked. The baggage was hauled aboard, the little party perhaps, but it is more better to be followed. As they headed slowly prepared. Across the plaza is our That building of two stoupstream, Senor Montaya made his clubhouse. looks out over the valley which ries guests comfortable under a deck from between, it is our administraawning. Iced coffee was served as the chil- tion building. The ground floor is can dren, exhausted from heat and ex- commissary where the senora We needs. are she get anything citement, slept on a sarape spread on the deck, each jealously clutching very proud of San Alejo. And now the car took another his new hat, big as himself. To Montaya Jeff said casually, I curve that brought into sight the e of Mt. San Alejo. suppose theres no reason why you farther shouldnt say who recommended me Below, about a kilometer from the town, was an exceptionally long, to you? n cleared field, with a broad No, none, admitted his host. It of A its branch down length. strip was Mr. Mitchell. to it around the led the railroad Mitchell! base of the mountain. Yes, himself. Though perhaps Good sized field, Curt commentunknowingly; I explain. Many times ed.1 beI had to warn him about his attitude sides Youve several buildings hangars. toward the men under him. Of Yes. Just the one word. course, I what do you say? ah, yes, But is that a fence I see around to him hounded the work I get done, the field? ; for we have much to do before the Your eyes are sharp, Mr. Curtis. too not and has it gone rainy season, Yes, the field does have a fence. Our chief pilot nearly lost his life during his first month here because of a natives mania for souvenirs. We had not thought to properly protect the planes. It is a serious thing to risk ones life in the air, Mr. Curtis, so I felt I should put a fence around the field. Curt saw a flash behind the Swimming pool? Yes, a small one. I do all I can to keep the men contented. It is much worth the cost, it pays well. The motorcar, laboring up the grade, came out onto a level stretch, picked up speed, and at once they were in the heart of the small town. It is late, Montaya was saying. You have yet to unpack and get settled. I will take you to your house now. I trust, Senora, that the cook and house servant we furnish you will prove satisfactory. Lee made a vague sound in reply. In the morning, Montaya turned to Curt, if you will come to my office at eight, I will spend the day with you. We shall how do you say it? ah, yes, buckle down to work. The sidewalks were not wide enough for the group abreast. Montaya walked ahead, carrying the two children whose shoes made smudges on his spotless coat. The boys were silent with this stranger. Lee wrinkled her nose in distaste at the faultlessly tailored back. Ha! she murmured. Look at him, the dark lily! Sh. Curt tightened his hold on Each jealously clutching his new her arm. He may have ears, he whispered. hat big as himself. Well, I dont pare, she muttered well. But certainly I did not want resentfully. Look how he carries him to antagonize the workers. the kids. He likes children? I laugh. One can ah, drive some men, Montaya deposited the boys careothers not. It is a fine point to fully before a hedge of hibiscus, know how far one can go with work- opened the wire gate, smiled them ers. When I saw the many ene- through onto the neatly scythed lawn mies Mr. Mitchell was making, I where a mango, a tree, thought, But this is unfortunate. I already offered some shade to lawn feared ah, an accident. So it was and house. He was about to turn happy for me that I led him into away with a gallant lift of his hat, talk of competent engineers. You when Curt mentioned Mrs. Mitchell were one he mentioned above oth- for the first time. ers. You see? We were close friends with the Two hours of fighting the current Mitchells a few years ago. It must upriver, and they found at Tempujo have been a terrible blow to her, another modern dock, with a long he said. I think we should express floating stage built to allow for the our regrets as soon as possible. Ah. Senor Montaya pulled at rise of the river in Now, the river at low point, the wharf his lower lip. It was a most territowered high above them. Their ble shock to her, Mr. Curtis. He I ah, had baggage was swung upward in a cast a glance at Lee. cargo net, a deckhand riding the not meant to speak of it before the hook to avoid the stairs, while Curt senora, but to be sure she will have and the others climbed the long to know. Mrs. Mitchell ah, comflight of steps from the floating mitted suicide only yesterday. From grief. This morning she was buried. stage to the landing above. A sad affair, yes. That was what on before the only them, Spread rise of land for miles along this delayed me. Curt managed a blank face to hide side of the river, was a small town the disturbing shock, but Lee was arrowhead-fashion built around a She reached for railroad terminus of frankly astonished. Not until hand. Curts Montaya was storage tracks. out of hearing, however, did she Montaya pointed out a centrally exclaim: Your Tempujo located bungalow. She never! Zora Mitchell comoffice, Mr. Curtis. There is sleeping mit suicide? Not Zora! She wasnt accommodation there for you. There the Besides, she never cared will be nights when you are unable thattype. for him. much to get back to San Alejo. She never seemed to, admitted Montaya led the party to two mo- Curt slowly. They were a cool torcars, automobiles with flanged enough couple. wheels to operate on the narrow-gaug- e He turned to the house. Absently railroad tracks. Side win- he held Lees hand as they climbed dows of the sedan bodies rolled the steps. But his free hand, in his completely into the framework, pocket, was crushing Zora Mitchells cars for the va- note. making riable climate. Before going to bed that night. two held a lighted --match to the motor ordered the Curt Montaya boys ahead with the baggage, while note. But the words were burned i he drove the Curtises in the second into his mind. car. (TO BE CONTINUED) down-slop- (U (U (V. fk- - (V, fv. fV. (V. (U (U (V, (U (Vt o cw O- - tv. (V, quiz with answers offering information on various subjects A - (t (V fv. (V O- - fw (V. fU fu fV (W 1. How much water does an inch of rain give to the acre? 2. What building is known as the Cradle of Liberty? 3. How many pairs of walking The Answers - 1. One hundred tons. 2. Faneuil Hall. legs has a spider? 3. A spider has four pairs of 4. In court procedure, if a tales walking legs. is issued, it means what? 4. Additional jurors are sum5. A cross shaped like a plus moned. sign is called what? . 5. A Greek cross. , 6. Lydia. 6. 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President of the United States was once a sheriff? well-wor- fan-shap- v. 7. What The Questions SERVICE mo- se-no- plant- d, . (U (V, (t, W.M.U, Senor Montaya eyed Curt a 7 Atjomsm GRANVILLE CHURCH THE STORY SO FAR: Jeff Curtis and his wife, Lee, are already on their way to Tierra Libre when Jeff receives a note from Zora Mitchell warning them not to come. It is too late to turn back, so Jeff decides not to tell Lee, who was opposed to their returning to the tropics. She finally agreed to go only after Jeff had persuaded her that the job of chief engineer for a newly organized fruit company is the chance of a lifetime. They arrive in Tierra Libre to find Zoras husband dead. In a conversation with Jerry Mclnnis, Jeff learns that Mitchells death was murder and that there is .something strange going. on. Jeff and Lee are waiting now for Senor Montaya, who hired Jeff. In spite of the fact that his investigation of the company revealed nothing, Jeff is suspicious. 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