The Hayti herald. (Hayti, Mo.) 1908-1922, 1919-12-18
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

ABOUT week, maybe morn dat,
ago. De Warrior brought de body
down, sah."
"The Warrior7 Did anyone 60
ashore with it2"
"'Pears like thar wus two men
stopped off at de Landin'. I dlsre-
member de names, but one OBJ 'em wus
an OIL friend OBJ de jedge's."
/ turned my head away silently, but
only for a moment. The two men were
In all probability Kirby and his satel-
lite, Carver. Doubtless the Beaucaire
property was already legally in Kir-
by's possession, and any possible
chance l might have once had to foil
him in his nefarious purpose had now
completely vanished.
To be sure l had reasoned out no
definite means whereby 1 could cir
cumvent his theft, except to take legal
advice, confer with Governor Clark,
and warn those threatened girls of
their danger. But now it was too late
even to do this. And yet it might not
be. If Kirby and his confederate be-
lcved that l was dead, were con-
WINGED that / had perished beneath
the waters of the river, they might
feel safe in taking time to strengthen
their position; might delay final ac-
tion, hoping thus to make their case
seem more plausible. If Kirby was
really serious in his intention of mar
rying Beaucaire's daughter he would
naturally hesitate Immediately to aC-
knowledge winning the property at
cards and thus indirectly being the
cause of her fathers death. He would
be quite likely to keep this hidden
from the girl for while until he
tried his lack at love.--If love failed,
then the disclosure might be made to
drive the young woman TO him-a
threat to render her complaisant.
"Do you know a lawyer named
Haines?'
"Liyln' down at de Landin'? Vas.
sah."
lifted myself up in bed, too deeply
Interested to lie still any longer.
"NOw listen, Pete" explained ear
nestly. 1--WE got sufficient money to
pay you well for all you do, and just
as soon as you get me something to
eat | want you to go down to the
Landing and bring Lawyer Haines
back here with you. Just tell him q
sick white man wants to see him at
"Yas, sah," the whites Of his eyes
rolling "Iie done know OF Pete, an
I'll sure bring him back yere."
1t was dark when they came, the
fire alone lighting up the interior OF
the dlngy cabin with fitful glow OF
red fame. ] had managed to get ou
of bed and partially dress myself, feel
ing stronger, and in less pain as ex
erclsed my muscles. Haines was {
small, sandy-compleXioned man, will
a struggling beard and light blu'
eyes. He appeared competent enough
a bundle of nervous energy, and ye
there was something about the fellow
which instantly impressed me unfavor
ably-probably his short, jerky man
ner of speech and his inability to lool
straight at you,
"Pete has been telling me who yo'
are, lieutenant" he said as we shoo
hands, "and putting some other thing
together | can guess the rest. Yo
came south on the Warrior?"
'Trom Fort Armstrong-yes; VIII
told you this?"
'CGPtaln Throckmorton. l saw hiI
in st. Louis, and he seemed deepl
grieTee by your sudden Disappearance
No OAe ON board was able to explai
what had occurred"
"Yet there were two men on til
boat who could have explained IL the
had cared TO do So" answered dryl.
II mean Kirby and Carver; they weI
the ones who threw me overheard"
He dropped into chair, his kee
ferret eyes Oh my face.
"Kirby and Carver? They wer
ashore with the judges body at til
Landing. So there Is story back {
all this" he exclaimed jerkily. %
1t, I thought as much. Was Bea,
ieaiIe killed."
+'&O-not at least by any vlolenc
No doubt the shock of his loss ha
teneG his death. Surely you mu!
hnOw Gsat he risked all he poSsesse
on a eaae of cards and lost?"
"ChrocbfaOrtOn knew sometbin
about 1t, and therJ were other. rum0l
floating about the Landing. but
have heard no "Details"
" have every reE son, Haines. to fe'
convinced that both Kirby ard Carve
trailed Beaucaire up the rive wit
Tbs intention of pluckink him. Klrt