The Detroit times., 1913-05-28
The Fortunes of the LandrayS
sy.s By Vaughan Hester AunSr .. a The s T Judge
Author Of THE Prodigal Judge.
lust and the Unjust" etc.

= were sure 10 do ii ,hey attempted TO
enforce the law they had been sent
thither TO uphold.
Standing there square and broad,
full personnel and vital with his rudy
checks and square chin, he looked
the man he was; capable. magnetic,
determined and not too weakly scrup'
ulous, perhaps not scrupulous at all.
Each devoted moment 10 the scru-
tiny OF the other.
Well. sir, how can ! be OF use to
you?' asked Young.
II hardly know that you can be.
said Benson Its chance. and
fear a remote one still, | am very
grateful 10 you for granting me this
audience
Have a seat, said the governor.
Il am not intruding on your time
Not in the least. Now, SIR When
| they had seated themselves.
Il Lave come from Ohio. explain
ed Benson, and on what. | begin TO
fear, is hopeless quest And as
| briefly as possible he told his story.
Once or twice he fancied that Young
started. or IL might have been that he
merely moved in his chair: but he
paid him the compliment of the clos
est attention and his interest did not
relax until Benson had concluded his
narrative. Then he asked sharply;
What reason have you TO suppose
that | can help you?" and he watched
the effect of this question. but Ben
son met his glance quite frankly as
he answered
None. But ii is my hope that you
can. that YOU may be willing to exert
yourself in my behalf.
But how" demanded Young.
THAT | hardly know said Benson
reluctantly. Unless you can aid
me TO find the freighter from whom
Stephen Landray's knife was pur-
chased
"A great many of our people are
engaged in transporting supplies ana
colonists across the plains
Perhaps you will suggest more
direct method. ! confess | am finding
myself rather al loss in the mat
ter
II suppose YOU are aware that your
friends might have been stricken with
the cholera. for instance; or the In
dians may have killed them: or they
may have gone astray on the plains
and so lost their lives: or they NAV
have been made prisoners by the In
dams, may even now be prisoners?
Or" continued Young, for reasons or
their own they may wish you TO think
something of this sort has happened,
and at this moment be alive and well
in California"
That" said Benson, lis quite Inn
possible. Ii they are alive their ram
lilies would have heard from them.
Their families? Men sometimes
forget" and the governors short up
per lip curled unpleasantly.
Some men might. not these
Had they much money with
| them"
Yes, large sum- and he added,
seeing the drift OF Youngs mind, but
only small part OF what they might
have brought The leaders OF the
party we're men OF ample means"
Then something must have hap
pended to them; men don't abandon
money
Benson ignored this; but II occur
red to him that Young was propapiy
speaking now in his worldly capacity,
and that his worldly views were very
worldly indeed; the views OF one who
neither trusted nor respected men.
Il will tell you what | will do" said
Young. III they got as far as Salt
Lake they must have had business
dealings with some OF our people.
can have inquiries made. If you will
furnish me with description OF these
men"
II have laready been to the stores
and shops" said Benson.
II will extend the inquiries beyond
the city Meantime I've man here
who may be of use to you,' said
Young after a moments thought.
He called TO the clerk In the outer
office. but before the latter answered
the summons. he changed his mind.
III fetch him myself" he said, and
left the room.
He was gone. perhaps. ten minutes.
and then returned. accompanied by
a heavy-set man OF not especially pre-
possessing appearance. who wore Cog
giles and blinked through them at Ben.
son with weak eyes.
Mr. Benson this Is Brother Kick
man. said the governor. by way OF
introduction Now. Mr. Benson, Kind
ly tell Brother Hickman what you
have just told me.
And Benson went through the nara
tive a second time.
When he had finished. Young turned
70 Hickman:
Mr. Benson has already spent three
DAYS here. but so far he has learned
nothing. II just occurs to me, Mr..
papaou that our manila while they