Part 48 (1/2)

”If they's anythin' worse than a--of a--comes out in the next fifty year, he'll be it!” stormed Austin. ”But, d.a.m.n it,” he added, ”the little devil's worse'n a catamount for fight!”

Thorne was little communicative, but after he and Bob became better acquainted the Inspector would tell something of his past inspections.

All up and down the Sierras he had unearthed enough petty fraud and inefficiency to send a half-dozen men to jail and to break another half-dozen from the ranks.

”And the Office has upheld me right along,” said Thorne in answer to Bob's scepticism regarding government sincerity. ”The Office is all right; don't make any mistake on that. It's just a question of getting at it. I admit the system is all wrong, where the complaints can't get direct to the chiefs; but that's what I'm here for. This Plant is one of the easiest cases I've tackled yet. I've got direct evidence six times over to put him over the road. He'll go behind the bars sure. As for the cattle situation, it's a crying disgrace and a shame. There's no earthly reason under the regulations why Simeon Wright should bring cattle in at all; and I'll see that next year he doesn't.”

At the end of two weeks Thorne had finished his work and departed. The mountain people with whom he had come in contact liked and trusted him in spite of his brusque and business-like manners. He could shoot, pack a horse, ride and follow trail, swing an axe as well as any of them. He knew what he was talking about. He was square. The mountain men ”happened around”--such of them as were not in back with the cattle--to wish him farewell.

”Good-bye, boys,” said he. ”You'll see me again. I'm glad to have had a chance to straighten things out a little. Don't lose faith in Uncle Sam.

He'll do well by you when you attract his attention.”

Fully a week after his departure Plant returned and took his accustomed place in the community. He surveyed his old const.i.tuents with a slightly sardonic eye, but had little to say.

About this time Bob moved up on the mountain. He breathed in a distinct pleasure over again finding himself among the pines, in the cool air, with the clean, aromatic woods-work. The Meadow Lake was completely surrounded by camps this year. Several canvas boats were on the lake.

Bob even welcomed the raucous and confused notes of several phonographs going at full speed. After the heat and dust and brown of the lower hills, this high country was inexpressibly grateful.

At headquarters he found Welton rolling about, jovial, good-natured, efficient as ever. With him was Baker.

”Well,” said Bob to the latter. ”Where did you get by me? I didn't know you were here.”

”Oh, I blew in the other day. Didn't have time to stop below; and, besides, I was saving my strength for your partner here.” He looked at Welton ruefully. ”I thought I'd come up and get that water-rights matter all fixed up in a few minutes, and get back to supper. Nothing doing!”

”This smooth-faced pirate,” explained Welton, ”offers to take our water if we'll pay him for doing it, as near as I can make out--that is, if we'll supply the machinery to do it with. In return he'll allow us the privilege of buying back what we are going to need for household purposes. I tell him this is too liberal. We cannot permit him to rob himself. Since he has known our esteemed fellow-citizen, Mr. Plant, he's falling into that gentleman's liberal views.”

Baker grinned at his accusor appreciatively, but at the mention of Plant's name Bob broke in.

”Plant's landed,” said he briefly. ”They've got him. Prison bars for his.”

”What?” cried Welton and Baker in a breath.

Bob explained; telling them of Thorne, his record, methods, and the definite evidence he had acquired. Long before he had finished both men relaxed from their more eager attention.

”That all?” commented Baker. ”From what you said I thought he was in the bastile!”

”He will be shortly,” said Bob. ”They've got the evidence direct. It's an open-and-shut case.”

Baker merely grinned.

”But Thorne's jugged them all up the range,” persisted Bob. ”He's convicted a whole lot of them--men who have been at it for years.”

”H'm,” said Baker.

”But how can they dodge it?” cried Bob. ”They can't deny the evidence!

The Department has upheld Thorne warmly.”

”Sure,” said Baker.

”Well,” concluded Bob. ”Do you mean to say that they'll have the nerve to pa.s.s over such direct evidence as that?”