The Mystery of the Death Trap Mine - M. V. Carey [14]
“Five years ago,” said Jupiter. “Five years ago, in January, a thief named Gilbert Morgan was released from prison. He reported to his parole officer in San Francisco, then disappeared. Sometime between January and the time the mine was sealed in the spring, he came to Twin Lakes, got into the mine, and was killed. I wonder where he was in the meantime. Magdalena, could he have been here in town?”
Magdalena shook her head. “Twin Lakes is a small place. A stranger would be noticed.”
Jupe nodded. “True. And if the man was a fugitive, he would not have wanted attention. He would have gone to a place where he could be part of a crowd and thus not be noticed. Yet he was here.”
“I wonder what else happened in Twin Lakes five years ago,” said Allie. “The mine was sealed with the crook inside. Was anybody else in town who might be interesting? Like Wesley Thurgood?”
“I’d be very surprised if we found that he was.” Bob had been leafing through a pile of newspapers that were stacked on the coffee table. “If it’ll make you feel better, though, we can check.”
“How?” asked Allie.
“The local paper,” said Bob. He held up a tabloid-size sheet of newsprint. “The Twin Lakes Gazette. It has stories on absolutely everything that happens in town, including who is having guests and where the guests come from. If we could go through the files, we might find some clue in the back issues about what brought the crook named Gilbert Morgan to Twin Lakes.”
“Great idea!” exclaimed Allie. “Let’s go! I know the editor — he interviewed me when I came here. I’ll keep him busy while you guys go through the back files.”
“You think your uncle will let us out of the house?” asked Pete.
“I think he’ll let us go anyplace,” declared Allie, “so long as it isn’t near that mine!”
Chapter 7
Tracing the Dead Man
UNCLE HARRY FLATLY refused to permit Allie and the boys to leave the ranch that afternoon. Instead, he sent them out to prune Christmas trees until dinnertime. Allie sulked for hours.
By the next morning, however, Uncle Harry’s mood had softened. When Allie told him she’d like to take the Three Investigators into town, he only said, “Don’t be gone all day.”
“We couldn’t possibly be gone all day,” Allie pointed out. “There isn’t that much to Twin Lakes!”
Allie and the boys set out on foot for the mile-long hike down the dusty road. As they walked several cars passed them, going slowly up toward Thurgood’s. One stopped as it came abreast of them and a man leaned out.
“This the road to Death Trap Mine?” called the man.
“Yes, it is,” said Allie.
“Good!” The man started to drive on, then suddenly stopped again. “You wouldn’t be the kids who found the body, would you?” he asked.
“Come on, Allie. Let’s go.” Bob took her arm and started to hurry her along.
“Hey, wait a second!” The man climbed out of his car with a camera in his hand. “Hey, I want to take your picture, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay,” said Pete.
The boys and Allie walked off as rapidly as they could without actually running.
Another car passed them and they were aware of curious eyes staring at them.
“I guess it’s to be expected,” said Jupe. “The Death Trap Mine did make the news on television last night, and people are curious.”
“But you’d better not pose for any pictures,” Pete warned Allie. “I have a feeling your uncle wouldn’t like it.”
“I know he wouldn’t like it,” said Allie.
The main street in town was humming with activity. Cars cruised along and sightseers scanned the sidewalks. A little knot of men and women clustered outside the courthouse, where Sheriff Tait, looking red-faced and harassed, gestured as he talked with them.
“Reporters, following up on the story,” said Bob.
The office of the Twin Lakes Gazette was in what had once been a store. A plate-glass window faced the street, and inside there were two battered desks. One was piled high with bills and notices, and newspapers from other parts of the West. At the second desk sat a string bean of a man with sparse reddish hair and sharp features. He looked wildly excited, and