ents
pending? Can he be cleared of these charges? And what about the Wells
National Bank? And where is Carson Wells? These are the things we must
know if I am to live as a citizen or a criminal.

"I will be in Denver for a few days. We surely have more than sixty
thousand dollars' worth of metal in those containers. Some of it may
be in bad shape. Some of it may have to be rectified, as they term it,
and that will cause delay. Then, too, I am not certain if your lady
friend in Denver can do her job effectively. I wouldn't want to be
caught in a disguise. At any rate, I will be in Chicago or Bransford
some day next week."

At the railway station Jim Gillis maneuvered the ancient model to
unload the metal and clothing at the Denver platform. Davy purchased a
ticket for Chicago. Welborn's read "to Denver and return."

PART TWO

18

Because of duties in maintaining peace along the uncertain boundary
lines that divided a defeated people from those who had triumphed,
Captain Shirley Wells was detained in the border lands of France and
Germany long after his badly reduced regiment had returned to their
homeland. Wells had been the first sergeant of a company that became
noted for its discipline within and its activities afield. His
promotion to a commission had been earned.

Shirley had entered the service as an enthusiastic youth. In a few
brief years he had grown to a serious-minded man. A six-footer,
deep-chested, broad of shoulders, he had the physical ability to
enforce the decrees and orders of his superiors while the general
terms of boundaries were being formulated. Patiently and firmly he
worked with the peasantry of any district where he was assigned to
gain their confidence and earn the praise of his superiors. On July
2nd, 1921, his nation and the others interested having completed the
general terms of boundaries and occupation, the service by regulatory
groups was ended. Shirley Wells had been gratified in earning a
commission, now he was happy indeed to know that he was to return to
civilian pursuits, for he might have to work out some peace terms in
his home town.

More than eighteen months ago, while his regiment was resting after an
effective foray against the enemy in the vicinity of Lyons, he
received a letter informing him of the death of his father and
indicating that a telegram had been sent. He never received the
telegram, and judging by a lack of replies to his letters, he doubte