Part 47 (1/2)

”Why have you never said anything before?”

”What for?” countered the old man. ”I'd just get fired. There ain't no good in saying anything. He's my superior officer. They used to teach me in the army that I ain't got no call to criticize what my officer does.

It's my job to obey orders the best I can.”

”Why do you tell me, then?”

”You're my superior officer, too--and his.”

”So were all the other inspectors who have been here.”

”Them--h.e.l.l!” said California John.

Thorne returned to his hotel very thoughtful. It was falling dark, and the preliminary bell had rung for supper. Nevertheless he lit his lamp and clicked off a letter to a personal friend in the Land Office requesting the latter to forward all Plant's vouchers for the past two years. Then he hunted up Auntie Belle.

”I thought I should tell you that I won't be leaving my room Wednesday, as I thought,” said he. ”My business will detain me longer.”

XV

Thorne curtly explained himself to Plant as detained on clerical business. While awaiting the vouchers from Was.h.i.+ngton, he busily gathered the gossip of the place. Naturally the cattle situation was one of the first phases to come to his attention. After listening to what was to be said, he despatched a messenger back into the mountains requesting the cattlemen to send a representative. Ordinarily he would have gone to the spot himself; but just now he preferred to remain nearer the centre of Plant's activities.

Jim Pollock appeared in due course. He explained the state of affairs carefully and dispa.s.sionately. Thorne heard him to the end without comment.

”If the feed is too scarce for the number of cattle, that fact should be officially ascertained,” he said finally.

”Davidson--California John--was sent back last fall to look into it. I didn't see his report, but John's a good cattleman himself, and there couldn't be no two opinions on the matter.”

Thorne had been shown no copy of such a report during his official inspection. He made a note of this.

”Well,” said he finally, ”if on investigation I find the facts to be as you state them--and that I can determine only on receiving all the evidence on both sides--I can promise you relief for next season. The Land Office is just, when it is acquainted with the facts. I will ask you to make affidavits. I am obliged to you for your trouble in coming.”

Jim Pollock made his three-day ride back more cheered by these few and tentative words than by Superintendent Smith's effusive a.s.surances, or Plant's promises. He so reported to his neighbours in the back ranges.

Thorne established from California John the truth as to the suppressed reports.

Some rumour of all this reached Henry Plant. Whatever his faults, the Supervisor was no coward. He had always bulled things through by sheer weight and courage. If he could outroar his opponent, he always considered the victory as his. Certainly the results were generally that way.

On hearing of Thorne's activities, Plant drove down to see him. He puffed along the pa.s.sageway to Thorne's room. The Inspector was pecking away at his portable typewriter and did not look up as the fat man entered.

Plant surveyed the bent back for a moment.

”Look here,” he demanded, ”I hear you're still investigating my district--as well as doing 'clerical work.'”

”I am,” snapped Thorne without turning his head.

”Am I to consider myself under investigation?” demanded Plant truculently. To this direct question he, of course, expected a denial--a denial which he would proceed to demolish with threats and abuse.

”You are,” said Thorne, reaching for a fresh sheet of paper.

Plant stared at him a moment; then went out. Next day he drove away on the stage, and was no more seen for several weeks.