Murder Lake by Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson

Author:Maxwell Grant & Walter Gibson [Grant, Maxwell & Gibson, Walter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Espionage, Fiction, Thrillers
Publisher: Street & Smith
Published: 1943-06-20T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XII. CLINCH FINDS A FRIEND

MATTHEW CLINCH was always glad to make friends. The fact that he had hundreds, merely stimulated his urge for more. He had found a friend today, a man named Lamont Cranston, who was reputed to be very wealthy, which made it all the better, since Clinch preferred wealthy friends.

Riding in Clinch's big car, these new friends had made a trip through the surrounding region, looking at properties that were likely to interest Cranston. Coming back through town, they were turning toward the hill where Clinch lived, when he remembered something. Clinch told his chauffeur to stop at the hospital.

Together, Clinch and Cranston went up to see Garfield, the injured warden. A nurse gave them a smile as they entered.

"The patient is anxious to see you, Mr. Clinch," the nurse said. "We told him that you called a few times and he seemed very pleased. But don't talk to him too long."

Garfield was sitting up in bed, his head heavily bandaged, particularly above one eye. He tended a weak hand to Clinch and then to Cranston, when Clinch introduced his friend. In a solemn tone, Garfield said:

"I'm sorry about what happened at the dam, Mr. Clinch."

"You should tell that to Quimby," observed Clinch. "The catastrophe was his funeral, not mine."

Garfield winced.

"It was nearly my own," he said. "If you want me to tell you what happened up there -"

"Don't tire yourself, Garfield."

"But there isn't much to tell. I'd inspected the dam and it looked all right. I guess I must have gone back there after I phoned the Junction. Something just went crack - and here I am. I suppose a chunk of wood hit me when the dam broke loose."

Though his eyes were half closed, Garfield was watching Clinch all the while, as though to learn whether his story met with the visitor's approval. Apparently it did, for Clinch rose, gave Garfield another handshake and said he'd be back later.

Riding past the depot, Clinch pointed to a huge van that was loading from the baggage car. On the van was a large legend in gold letters:

REDLAND TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

"One of Gravett's vans," stated Clinch. "Looks like a leftover from the last company that went broke. Gravett must have owned at least twenty transportation companies, none of them successful."

Cranston's eyebrows raised in query.

"Gravett hauls too cheaply," explained Clinch. "He takes half loads and gives too much discount for long hauls. He never charges extra when he has to buy licenses in other States. No wonder he always goes broke."

Looking back through the rear window, Clinch made another survey of the van.

"That's the first load of equipment going up to the mine," he remarked. "Well, that's another venture that will mean a lot of money lost. But Gravett won't lose it."

Clinch amplified that statement on the way up the hill. He said that Gravett had a faculty for interesting investors in any sort of enterprise; that when Clinch referred to Gravett "going broke," he meant the companies, not the man.

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