XV

Thorne curtly explained himself to Plant as detained on clerical

business. While awaiting the vouchers from Washington, 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 dispassionately. 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 assurances, 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 passageway 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.

This did not trouble Thorne. He began to reach in all directions for

evidence. At first there came to him only those like the Pollock boys

who were openly at outs with Plant, and so had nothing to lose by

antagonizing him further. Then, hesitating, appeared others. Many of

these grievances Thorne found to be imaginary; but in several cases he

was able to elicit definite affidavits as to graft and irregularity.

Evidence of bribery was more difficult to obtain. Plant's easy-going

ways had made him friends, and his facile suspension of gracing

regulations--for a consideration--appealed strongly to self-interest.

However, as always in such cases, enough had at some time felt

themselves discriminated against to entertain resentment. Thorne took

advantage of this both to get evidence, and to secure information that

enabled him to frighten evidence out of others.

The vouchers arrived from Washington. In them Plant's methods showed

clearly. Thorne early learned that it had been the Supervisor's habit to

obtain duplicate bills for everything--purchases, livery, hotels and the

like. He had explained to the creditors that a copy would be necessary

for filing, and of course the mountain people knew no better. Thus, by a

trifling manipulation of dates, Plant had been able to collect twice

over for his expenses.

"There is the plumb limit," said Martin, while running over the vouchers

he had given. He showed Thorne two bearing the same date. One read:

"_To team and driver to Big Baldy post office, $4._"

"That item's all right," said Martin; "I drove him there myself. But

here's the joke."

He handed the second bill to Thorne:

"_To saddle horse Big Baldy to McClintock claim, $2._"

"Why," said Martin, "when we got to Big Baldy he put his saddle on one

of the driving horses and rode it about a mile over to McClintock's. I

remember objecting on account of his being so heavy. Say," reflected the

livery-man after a moment, "he's right out for the little stuff, ain't

he? When his hand gets near a dollar, it cramps!"

In the sheaf of vouchers Thorne ran across one item repeated several

hundred times in the two years. It read:

"_To M. Aiken, team, $3._"

Inquiry disclosed the fact that "M. Aiken," was Minnie, Plant's niece.

By the simple expedient of conveying to her title in his team and

buckboard, the Supervisor was enabled to collect three dollars every

time he drove anywhere.

Thus the case grew, fortified by affidavits. Thorne found that Plant

had been grafting between three and four thousand dollars a year.

Of course the whole community soon came to know all about it. The taking

of testimony and the giving of affidavits were matters for daily

discussion. Thorne inspired faith, because he had faith himself.

"I don't wonder you people have been hostile to the Forest Reserves,"

said he. "You can't be blamed. But it is not the Office's fault. I've

been in the Land Office a great many years, and they won't stand for

this sort of thing a minute. I found very much the same sort of thing in

one of the reserves in Oregon, only there was a gang operating there. I

got eleven convictions, and a new deal all round. The Land Office is all

right, when you get to it. You'll see us in a different light, after

this is over."

The mountaineers liked him. He showed them a new kink by which the lash

rope of a pack could be jammed in the cinch-hook for convenience of the

lone packer; he proved to be an excellent shot with the revolver; in his

official work he had used and tested the methods of many wilderness

travellers, and could discuss and demonstrate. Furthermore, he got

results.

Austin conducted a roadhouse on the way to the Power House Number One:

this in addition to his saloon in Sycamore Flats. The roadhouse was, as

a matter of fact, on government land, but Austin established the shadow

of a claim under mineral regulations, and, by obstructionist tactics,

had prevented all the red tape from being unwound. His mineral claim was

flimsy; he knew it, and everybody else knew it. But until the case

should be reported back, he remained where he was. It was up to Plant;

and Plant had been lenient. Probably Austin could have told why.

Thorne became cognizant of all this. He served Austin notice. Austin

offered no comment, but sat tight. He knew by previous experience that

the necessary reports, recommendations, endorsements and official orders

would take anywhere from one to three months. By that time this

inspector would have moved on--Austin knew the game. But three days

later Thorne showed up early in the morning followed by a half-dozen

interested rangers. In the most business-like fashion and despite the

variegated objections of Austin and his disreputable satellites, Thorne

and his men attached their ropes to the flimsy structure and literally

pulled it to pieces from the saddle.

"You have no right to use force!" cried Austin, who was well versed in

the regulations.

"I've saved my office a great deal of clerical work," Thorne snapped

back at him. "Report me if you feel like it!"

The débris remained where it had fallen. Austin did not venture

again--at least while this energetic youth was on the scene.

Nevertheless, after the first anger, even the saloon-keeper had in a way

his good word to say.

"If they's anythin' worse than a--of a--comes out in the next fifty

year, he'll be it!" stormed Austin. "But, damn 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 constituents 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 pass over such direct evidence as that?"

"Don't know anything about it," replied Baker briefly. "I only know

results when I see them. These other little grafters that your man

Thorne has bumped off probably haven't any drag."

"Well, what does Plant amount to once he's exposed?" challenged Bob.

"I haven't figured it out on the Scribner scale," admitted Baker, "but I

know what happens when you try to bump him. Bet you a thousand dollars I

do," he shot at Welton. "It isn't the wraith-like Plant you run up

against; it's _interests_."

"Well, I don't believe yet a great government will keep in a miserable,

petty thief like Plant against the direct evidence of a man like

Thorne!" stated Bob with some heat.

"Listen," said Baker kindly. "That isn't the scrap. Thorne _vs._

Plant--looks like easy money on Thorne, eh? Well, now, Plant has a drag

with Chairman Gay; don't know what it is, but it's a good one, a

peacherino. We know because we've trained some heavy guns on it

ourselves, and it's stood the shock. All right. Now it's up to Chairman

Gay to support his cousin. Then there's old Simeon Wright. Where would

he get off at without Plant? He's going to do a little missionary work.

Simeon owns Senator Barrow, and Senator Barrow is on the Ways and Means

Committee, so lots of people love the Senator. And so on in all

directions--I'm from Missouri. You got to show me. If it came to a mere

choice of turning down Plant or Thorne, they'd turn down Plant, every

time. But when it comes to a choice between Thorne and Gay, Thorne and

Barrow, Thorne and Simeon Wright, Thorne and a dozen others that have

their own Angel Children to protect, and won't protect your Angel Child

unless you'll chuck a front for theirs--why Thorne is just lost in the

crowd!"

"I don't believe it," protested Bob. "It would be a scandal."

"No, just politics," said Baker.