Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1895-02-23
CHAPTER Av.-uoHr1NUED.


CHAPTER Av.-UoNTINUED.
They must go farther east, by way
of Wagon gap, and back to the
agency with their game, as though
from innocent and successful hunt.
But, IN dodging the troops and
certain couriers they. saw, time was
lost, in which they got to drinking and
quarreling. Lacy's friends were two
well-known contractors for Indian sup
plies, long accustomed to agency ways,
well-versed in Indian affairs and often
suspected OF being knayes Of deeper
dye than mere swindlers of the abb
origines, which species of crime was
not bereft of virtue in frontier eyes.
They were known to the trade by the
names of Stein and Wirtz, and their
intimacy with Lacy and certain en-
ployes of the quartermaster depart
ment had attracted Rand's attention to
them smonths before the robbery.
Hearing of their absence from town,
he traced them to the agency, thence
to the range beyond, and found that
the date of their return that way cor
responded exactly with that of Thorn,
tons fight. Young Stearns had at last
made . coherent statement. Promising
to give his luckless father his share as
soon as they got back within sight Of
that harbor Of refuge, but plying him
with liquor all the time, these men
rode to Fossil creek in company, then
gave their Sdozing gnide the slipsand
dashed rapidly ahead. Being aware Of
the Indian outbreak, they probably
studied the country with their: glasses
and saw the. commotionl among the dis
tant war parties and 50 lodged into
-the range away from the road, and by
a wide detour got safely in, while their
hapless guide, following in drunken
pursuit, ran foulao the Sioux. was
chased and killed. Wisely they hid such
of the money as they did not need at
the moment, and kept away from head
quarters and Lacy awhile until the an
nouncement in the papers that the
crime had been definitely fixed on the
soldiers Schultz and Schramm gave
them courage to uIearth their plunder
and fetch It nearer home. Not that
they intended to divide with Lacy by
any means-he was in their TOLLS now,
and could be further bled-but to hold
him with mingled threat aud promise.
And all the time Rand was weaving his
web about them. The more coherent
statements of the half-witted son, now
being restored to such intellect as ho
possessed, had given ample clew, and
the arrest of Lacy at Ransom was the
result of dispatch to Rand that his
confederates had been pounced upon
the previous night at Yaniton with
over ten thousand dollars of sshe stolen
money in their possession. So long as
they did not peach, however, Lacy was
still safe, and he played the Indignant
and wronged and faithful servant, and
played it well, for just six weeks; then
s.Dux femina facti"-the woman who
was leader-by the nose-of the trinm-
virate, and the recipient Of much OF
their stolen plumber, was also arrested
when on the wing to the east, and she
couldn't keep secret; her circunstan-
tial confession of the whoIe business
from beginning to end, made when
hoping to win exemption for herself,
ended the battle. Then Lacys own
hand penned his parting words and
freed his shame stricken soul
ut was well planned job. said
Rand, sson Lacy's part at least, but it
had It's leak SO long as there was a
woman in it."
And now. as his evidence was no
longer needed, Sergt. Schramm had
no further business ut either Butte or
Ransom. But you don't want to go
back that long distance nlone,n said
Old Tintop. I'VE can assign you to
duty here until your. troop comes home
next month And 10 the adjutant's In
finite surprise, Schramm eagerly as
sented. tf N
October went, and keener winds from
the mountain -gorges and Hefcef
twinges ID Morgan s legs reminded them
that winter was at hand. Often now the
post surgeon found means to ride over
to Butte and see the failing soldier,
and many q day officers, or their wives
contrived to visit town and dropped in
to see Connie and offer aid and comfort
to her father, but Connie declared she
needed no help She had an excellent
servant now, Sa German woman whom
Mrs. Hinkel brought to her, who cook
ed and washed and did almost everT-
thing for so small a sum that when the
amount was mentioned ! fear me
there were women who were sore
II tempted TO OFFER the paragon twice
as much to quit the Morgans and come
TO them, but they deserved the mora
honor that they pronptly dismissed the
unworthy thought. Connie said Mrs.
HsaIel. too, was kind and useful Ii