The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-26
CHAPTER XxxIII.
Following the Trail.

The withdrawal of the sheriff mere
 ly stimulated Keith to greater activity
 It was clearly evident the fugitives
 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 1t was scarcely likely
 they would proceed very far in that
 direction, as such a course would
 bring them straight into the heart of the Indian country. into greater dan ger than that from which they fled.
 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 a venture. Did he know his pris- oner was Hope Waite? or did he still suppose he was running off with Chris tie Maclaire? Could some rumor of Waite's appeal to the courts have reached the gambler, frightened him, and caused him to attempt this des7
 
 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 fu- gitives a 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 Hope. Of course, he might have done so from a suddenly aroused fit 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 1t 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. If 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 victim of her mas querade.
 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 baffled, and all his plans for a fortune overturned. Keith fully realized Hopes peril, and his 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 do except to take up the trail. The fugf- lives had already gained too great an advantage to be overhauled, but they might be traced to whatever point | they were heading for. In spite of the | start being so far to the west, Keith was firmly convinced that their dest1n- ation would prove to be Carson City.