“So it would seem,” Corporal Rand smiled approvingly. “That was my contention. I claimed it was the one weak spot in Richardson’s theory—but, of course, the explanation is simple enough.
“Hart and O’Connell’s are freighters. They go everywhere. They have almost a monopoly on the transportation business. They have the government mail contract from here to Edmonton. Occasionally, perhaps not more than once or twice a year, they have business that takes them to the west coast—across Dominion Range. As you know this is a long and roundabout trip, requiring weeks, sometimes months for its completion. Consequently the transportation rates to the west coast are high. No one realizes this condition of affairs any better than Nichols. He takes advantage of it for his own gain. He draws up an agreement with the two packers to handle all the west-coast business himself, charging a very nominal rate for this service, and killing two birds with one stone. You can see how diabolical, how very clever the arrangement is. The freight that goes through Blind Man’s Pass is a mixed shipment. Part of it is stolen fur, the other part is merchandise which the original shipper has entrusted to the care of Hart or O’Connell.
“The scheme works beautifully,” smiled Rand. “Both parties to the transaction reap a lovely profit. Hart or O’Connell charge the shipper the same price that he would have to pay if his merchandise went all the way round to the west coast through the Yellowhead Pass. Murky can smile up his sleeve too, because all expense of taking out his contraband falls upon the willing shoulders of the two packers.”
“I never heard of anything so clever,” declared Dick. “Of course, Hart and O’Connell are aware of the existence of Blind Man’s Pass. You don’t suppose they know where it is themselves?”
“No, that’s Murky’s own secret. Otherwise the packers would never have entered into such an agreement.”
“I can see it all very clearly now,” said Dick, “and I’m anxious to know in what way I can be of help.”
Corporal Rand hesitated for a moment before making a reply. He sat in the chair opposite and regarded Dick with appraising eyes.
“We haven’t definitely decided just what we are going to do ourselves, but we intend to use you in some capacity. I’m waiting now to hear from Sergeant Richardson. However, unless something unforseen occurs, I imagine our program will be something like this: Malemute Slade will continue in his search for the pass; Constable Pearly—a new man just recently transferred here from the Peace River Detachment—will be detailed to keep close tab on Hart and O’Connell, while Sergeant Richardson and myself will study every movement of the two half-breeds and Murky.
“It may take weeks, possibly months, before we’ll be able to accomplish much. We are compelled to move very, very cautiously. If Nichols discovers our interest in his affairs, we’ll lose our only chance of getting him. He’s as slippery as an eel, and as crafty as a fox. I don’t believe there is another person in the North with a wider acquaintance, or a more thorough knowledge of conditions.”
“But wouldn’t Hart and O’Connell squeal if Murky should refuse to take any more of their shipments through Blind Man’s Pass?”