Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER xx..lIl.
Following the Trail.

y
The withdrawal of the sheriff mere
iy stimulated Keith to greater activity.
1t was clearly evident the. fugitiyes
were endeavoring with all rapidity
possible to get beyond where the hand
of law could reach them-their trail
striking directly across the plains into
the barren southwest was proof OF this
purpose. Yet it was scarcely likely
they would proceed very far In that
direction, as such course would
bring them straight into the heart OF
the Indian country, into greater dan
ger than that from which they he'd.
Keith felt no doubt that Hawley in
tended making for Carson City, where
he could securely hide the girl. and
where he possessed friends to rally
to his defence, even an influence over
the officers of the law. The one thing
which puzzled him most was the
mans object In attempting SO desper-
ate venture. Did he know his pris-
oner was Hope Waite? or did he still
suppose he was running OF with Chris
tie Maclaire? Could some rumor OF
z Waite's appeal to the courts have
reached the gambler, frightened him,
and caused him to attempt this des-
perate effort at escape? and did he
bear Miss Maclaire with him, hoping
to keep her safely concealed until
he was better prepared to come out In
open fight? If this was the actual
state Of affairs then it would account
for much otherwise hard to explain.
The actress would probably not have
been missed. or, at least, seriously
sought after, until she failed to ap-
pear at the theater the following even
ing. This delay would give the flu
gitives start Of twenty hours, or
even more, and practically assure
their safety. Besides, in the light OF
Waite's application to the sheriff for
assistance. it was comparatively easy
to conceive of "a valid reason why
Hawley should vanish. and desire.
likewise, to take Miss Maclaire with
him But there was no apparent oc-
casion for his forcible abduction OF
s Hope. OF course, he might have done
so from suddenly aroused At of an
ger at some discovery the girl had
made. yet everything pointed rather
to a deliberate plan. Both horses and
men were certainly waiting there un.
der orders, Hawley's adherents In
charge. and every arrangement per
fected in advance. Clearly enough
the gambler had planned it all out
before he ever went to the Troca-
dero-no doubt the completion OF
these final arrangements was what de-
layed his appearance at the hotel II
this was all true, then 1t must have
been Christie, and not Hope, he pur-
posed bearing away with him. and the
latter was merely a victim OF her mas
querade. q
What would result when the man
discovered his mistake? Such a dis
covery could not be delayed long. al
though the girl was Quick-witted, and
would surely realize that her personal
safety depended upon keeping up the
deception to the last possible moment,
Yet the discovery must finally occur,
and there was no guessing what form
Hawley's rage would assume when he
found himself bafied. and all his
plans for fortune overturned. Keith
4uAty ISataASu AAOP0 ? pctAAs 0Au AAa
own helplessness to serve her in this
emergency was agony. As they hur
ried back to the town. he briefly re
viewed these conclusions with Waite
and Fairbain. all alike agreeing there
was nothing remaining for them to dc
except to take up the trail. The fugi
tiyes had already gained too great an
advantage to be overhauled. but they
1 might be traced to whatever point
they were heading for. In spite Of the
start being so far to the Vest. Keith
VAS firmly convinced that their destin'
alton would prove to be Carson City,
Procuring horses at the corral, their