Part 9 (1/2)

”Why, yes,” said the agent. ”I've a number of inquiries for farming land on my books. I shouldn't wonder if I fixed the thing up in a week.”

”I can't wait a week. There's a pretty good haulage contract I could get, but it will take some financing, which is what brought me along; because I ought to see about it in the next few days. Now I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll sell you that land to-night at the lower figure.”

The agent pondered.

”No, sir,” he said, irresolutely. ”I'd only make a few dollars an acre on the deal, and I can get ten per cent. on my money right in this hotel.”

”You'd have to wait a year for it, wouldn't you? What price will give you ten per cent. profit on this quarter-section? You want to remember that you may get it in a few weeks, and you'd have first-cla.s.s security.”

After making a rough calculation in his notebook, the agent looked up.

”As a rule, I prefer to buy for other people, but I can't go back on what I said about land being in strong demand, and I'll make you a bid. This is the most I can do.”

Wandle, after trying to raise the price, made a sign of acquiescence.

”We'll let it go at that. I'll get things fixed up as soon as the land-office is open in the morning.”

He left the hotel, satisfied on the whole, though he had sacrificed a dollar or two an acre and there was an element of danger in what he had done. The sale of the land must be registered, and the date would be two or three days after the one on which Jernyngham was killed. The latter's homestead was, however, a long distance off, there was only one small weekly newspaper published in the district, and it was very probable that the agent would not hear of the affair until some time had elapsed, and then might not attach any importance to the fact that the victim's name was that of his customer. Even if he did so, the small discrepancy in the dates would, no doubt, escape his attention. Wandle did not think he had much cause for uneasiness.

Reaching home the next day, he raked out his stove and found the cash-box. It had not fallen to pieces as he had expected, and he doubled it up again with the ax before he flung it into the ash pail. Then he lighted the stove and set about getting supper, for it was late in the evening. After finis.h.i.+ng the meal, he threw some fragments of potatoes and a rind of pork into the pail and took it up to carry it to the refuse heap, but stopped with a start when he left the house. It was getting dark, but two shadowy figures were riding up the trail and by the way they sat their horses he recognized them as police troopers. Putting down the pail, he waited until they dismounted near-by.

”You're too late for supper, Curtis,” he said coolly. ”I've just cleaned it up.”

The corporal glanced at the pail and in the dim light noticed only the domestic refuse.

”I've had some,” he answered. ”I want a few minutes' talk.” Then he motioned to his companion. ”Hitch the horses, Stanton, and come in when you're ready.”

They entered the house, followed presently by the trooper, and Wandle lighted his pipe. He felt more at ease with it in his hand and he suspected that he would need all his collectedness.

”Well,” he said, ”what's the trouble?”

”I suppose you know that Jernyngham's missing?”

”I heard that he was killed.”

”Looks like it,” said Curtis. ”You know the muskeg where the creek spreads out, about fourteen miles north?”

”I don't; never been up so far.”

Curtis noticed the prompt disclaimer.

”Anyway, Jernyngham rode there and was knocked out with something heavy that must have left him stunned, if it didn't make an end of him. He didn't ride away after it, though his horse went on. The point is that it was led.”

”How do you know that?” Wandle asked.

”It's my business to know these things. Think we can't tell the difference between the tracks of a led horse and a ridden one? The only times two horses trot close together at an even distance is when one's rider has both bridles, or when they're yoked to a wagon pole. However, I've come to ask if you can throw any light on the matter? You and Jernyngham were partners, in a way, weren't you?”

”That's so. Now and then we bought implements and horses, or hired a tractor plow, between us. As a matter of fact, Jernyngham owed me about five hundred dollars. Anyhow, I'm as puzzled about the thing as you must be.”

”Then you think we're puzzled?” Curtis said in a significant tone.